US President Joe Biden on Monday condemned the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, calling it “shocking and unconscionable.”
In a statement released by the White House, Biden said:
“Today, families in Madison, Wisconsin, are grieving the loss of those who were killed and wounded at Abundant Life Christian School. It’s shocking and unconscionable. We need Congress to act. Now.”
The President further emphasized the urgent need to protect children from the “scourge of gun violence”:
“From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don’t receive attention – it is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We cannot continue to accept it as normal. Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom. Students across our country should be learning how to read and write – not having to learn how to duck and cover.”
The shooting incident, which occurred on Monday, left two people dead and six others injured, CNN reported citing officials. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that the suspected shooter, believed to be a 17-year-old student at the school, was found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon reported that seven people were transported to area hospitals following the incident.
President Biden expressed gratitude to first responders and federal agencies for their swift support, stating:
“At my direction, my team has reached out to local officials to offer further support as needed.”
Biden highlighted the actions his administration has already taken to address gun violence but urged Congress to do more, stating:
“My administration has taken aggressive action to combat the gun violence epidemic. We passed the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years, I have taken more executive action to reduce gun violence than any other President in history, and I created the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. But more is needed. Congress must pass common-sense gun safety laws: Universal background checks. A national red flag law. A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”
The President added, “We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart.”
Law enforcement sources told media that the 17-year-old shooter was a female student at the school, though further details have not yet been released.