Several people have died and others have been injured following a shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin, United States, according to local police in Madison.
At this moment, the police have not provided many details, but they are already investigating the incident. Here’s what is known so far.
ALSO READ Cannes Lions 2025: Design Awards Reimagined
10 Facts about the Shooting at Abundant Life School:
- The shooting occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.
- The shooter opened fire on students around 11:00 a.m.
- At least five people have been reported dead, and five others have been injured.
- The investigation is ongoing.
- The police have urged the public to avoid the area of the attack.
- Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are on site to assist local police.
- Around 390 children and young people attend Abundant Life Christian School, from kindergarten to high school.
- The school is multidenominational.
- The attacker, a minor, is believed to have been neutralized.
- The police have closed off streets surrounding the school.
The worst mass shootings in the United States
In the United States, shootings occur more frequently than you might think. Many of these have resulted in numerous fatalities. Here is a list of the deadliest shootings in the country:
- Las Vegas Strip Massacre (2017)
- Orlando Massacre (2016)
- Virginia Tech Massacre (2007)
- Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre (2012)
- First Baptist Church of Texas Massacre (2017)
- Luby’s Massacre (1991)
- Walmart Shooting in El Paso, Texas (2019)
- San Ysidro McDonald’s Massacre (1984)
- Uvalde Elementary School Massacre (2022)
- Lewiston, Maine Restaurant and Bowling Alley Shooting (2023)
How frequent are shootings in the United States?
In the United States, the likelihood of dying in a mass shooting is considerably high if a person is at work or in school.
Every year, dozens of shootings occur in schools across the country. This type of violence not only deeply impacts the direct victims but also affects students nationwide, who must prepare to face such traumatic experiences.
Why do school shootings occur?
Although school massacres are a global phenomenon, the United States has the highest number of these tragedies.
It is crucial to understand what drives some young people to use firearms as a way to express their anger or deal with their problems. In only 5% of school shooting cases, the shooter had a mental disorder. In most cases, other factors play a significant role, such as physical or psychological abuse, family neglect, bullying, a criminal family background, or easy access to firearms.
Psychological Profile of a shooter
In just 5% of school shooting cases, the perpetrator had a mental illness. In most cases, other factors such as physical or emotional abuse, family neglect, bullying, criminal backgrounds in the family, or easy access to firearms seem to have triggered these tragic events.
The most common characteristics observed in the perpetrators include the following:
- The attacks were carefully planned in advance.
- 80% of the perpetrators had been victims of school bullying, facing abuse, harassment, and emotional mistreatment in their educational environment.
- A high percentage came from dysfunctional homes, where at least one of the parents had a criminal background.
- 95% of the attackers did not have mental illnesses.
- All the cases showed a strong interest in firearms.
- Factors such as environmental violence, stress, and distorted thoughts contributed to the development of a dehumanized mindset in the perpetrators.
Which country has the most shootings?
The United States leads the world in firearm possession per capita, with 120.5 firearms for every 100 people, making it the country with the most shootings. The second-highest number is in Yemen, with 52.8 firearms for every 100 people.
