MADISON, Wis. — On Friday, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told Spectrum News in a one-on-one interview that there is little new information he can share at this time about Monday’s school shooting.
On Monday, Dec. 16, a 15-year-old female student killed another teenage student and a teacher at the private Madison school, police said. The shooter also died. Another six people were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from “minor” to “life-threatening,” according to police.
Barnes said investigators are still working to determine a motive for the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.
He said his team is still combing through the 15-year-old shooter’s social media accounts.
“In these types of situations, it is usually a combination of things that has made someone this angry to go out and do something like that,” Barnes said. “I wish I could provide those answers to the community, but it is going to take some time and without the benefit of the person being here to tell us why they would do that, anything we say would be speculative.”
Regarding the shooter’s connection with a Carlsbad, California man, Barnes said the FBI is working to learn more about his potential connection to the Madison shooting.
“If this person is alleging that he had a conversation or a relationship, we have to determine the extent of that. As you know, he was placed on a mental commitment, so you have to take that into account as well,” Barnes said.
There are two funeral services planned for victims of the shooting. One for 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara on Saturday and the other for 42-year-old Erin Michelle West on Monday.
Barnes asked that the community respect the families’ wishes and be respectful during this time.
“Members who want to help should contact the church first, through their means, and determine how best to use your resources to help the community heal,” Barnes said.
On Friday, it was announced that Barnes will be leaving the Madison Police Department to become chief of the Seattle Police Department.
Barnes said he won’t leave Madison until he is done helping the community heal from this horrific shooting.
“This is a long process; I won’t be leaving any time soon. It will be late January before I leave,” Barnes said. “There is a process we are going through here trying to heal, trying to bring people together. I am still at the helm; we are still moving the ship ahead and we have a great and wonderful team.”