A devastating school shooting unfolded on Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old student, Natalie Rupnow, opened fire, killing a teacher and a fellow teenager while injuring six others. The tragedy, which has sent shockwaves across the community, ended when Rupnow fatally shot herself.

The incident came to light after a distressing 911 call was placed by a second grader. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed the fatalities and detailed the conditions of the injured: two students remain in critical condition, while a teacher and three others sustained less severe injuries, with two later discharged from the hospital.

“Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. … We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened,” Barnes stated during a press briefing.

Authorities found Rupnow with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries en route. While Barnes refrained from revealing more about her background, he noted that her family is cooperating with investigators.

“When they heard, ‘Lockdown, lockdown,’ they knew it was real,” said Barbara Wiers, the school’s director of elementary and school relations. She emphasized that the school, which serves 420 students, has security measures such as cameras but no metal detectors.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and investigators are working to determine what led Rupnow to commit such a violent act. “I don’t know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening,” Barnes said.

In response to the tragedy, President Joe Biden renewed his call for stricter gun control laws, including universal background checks and a national red flag law. “We can never accept senseless violence that traumatises children, their families, and tears entire communities apart,” the President said.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers described the incident as “unthinkable,” while Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway added, “I hoped that this day would never come to Madison.”

Parents anxiously reunited with their children at a nearby health clinic following the lockdown. “As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute,” said Bethany Highman, whose daughter survived the shooting.

The tragedy has reignited national debates on gun control as the community mourns the victims and grapples with unanswered questions. Abundant Life Christian School has yet to decide whether classes will resume this week as grief counselors are deployed to assist students, staff, and families.