WISCONSIN — Hundreds of members from the Madison community gathered Tuesday night for a vigil near the State Capitol to honor victims of the Abundant Life Christian 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.
Those who attended the vigil had one main message to share — healing begins now.
“What I plead to you tonight is that we find a new way, a deeper way, a more meaningful way to connect with our community,” a speaker at the podium shared on Tuesday night.
Prayers were offered up for those still fighting for their lives. At least two who were injured are still in critical condition, police shared on Tuesday.
Among those in attendance was Naomi Allen, 16, who was in a nearby classroom Monday when the 15-year-old suspect attacked people in a study hall before police say she fatally shot herself.
“It’s doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, something like this could happen. There’s nothing that is going to exempt someone,” Allen said at the vigil.
Allen's father, Jay Allen, reflected on the dangers students face these days.
“When I was in school these things never happened,” he said. “This country at some point needs to take mental health seriously and we need to pour resources into it. We really need some changes in the way we handle that issue.”
Some community members who attended the vigil had no personal ties to Abundant Life Christian School. However, they said they wanted to show their support.
“We wanted to be part of the Madison community because we’ve been part of the Madison community for so long,” said Madison resident Eric Seibert.
Others felt compelled to attend due to a strong connection as a parent.
“If you have a kid, you know, we’ve just been talking a lot about it at home as much as we can. And you just want to support the parents and the community,” said Madison parent Coburn Dukehart.
Dukehart said the issue of gun access needs to be addressed.
“Children should not get their hands on guns… until this country changes their stance on guns, children will keep getting their hands on guns,” said Dukehart.
Madison resident Cristian Cuahutepitzi said he attended Tuesday's vigil to let the families of the victims know “we're thinking of them.” He said his uncle's two daughters go to the school.
“They're still a little bit shook,” he said.
Therapy dogs and trainers were also on site at the vigil to comfort those who were hurting. Crisis Response Canines volunteer Shelley McLaren traveled from Des Moines, Iowa to Madison to help.
“We’ve had crisis situations in our hometown, much like what you’ve just experienced, sadly. And I understand the heartburn, or the heartache, and how much the dogs can help people,” she said.
As the vigil wrapped up, the song “Amazing Grace” could be heard throughout Capitol Square.
Anthony Cooper, who works with the nonprofit Focused Interruption and was the organizer behind the vigil, said the work is not done.
“This is not over. I feel like our community continues to make sure that we’re addressing the issue and having deeper conversations with our youth,” he said.
Joe Gothard, the superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District, said at the vigil that the tragedy happened less than two blocks away from his childhood home. He said it wasn't enough to say the district would work on safety.
“We need to connect like we are tonight, each and every day and make a commitment that we know we’re there for one another, hopefully to avoid preventable tragedies like yesterday,” he said.
Seibert echoed those thoughts. She said we need to start paying attention to those around us.
“We have to see the people who are suffering in our midst and befriend them and be real,” she said.
A prayer service was also held Tuesday night at City Church Madison, which is affiliated with the school
Several teachers from the school prayed aloud one by one during the service, speaking into a microphone and standing in a line. One middle school teacher asked for courage, while another sought help quieting her own soul.
“God, this isn’t a Abundant Life Christian School tragedy," said Derrick Wright, the youth pastor at the church. "This is a community tragedy. This is a nation tragedy.”