A pre-dawn shooting incident that occurred at an unauthorized rooftop party in downtown Madison, Wisconsin has left a dozen people injured, several of them teenagers, according to a police report released on Sunday. The shooting took place at a high-rise apartment complex near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Madison police were alerted to the incident at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Upon arrival, they found scores of people hastily evacuating the building. Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that the party was an unauthorized gathering known as a “sneak bash”, and the injured parties were between the ages of 14 and 23.
“It is truly a miracle that no one is dead,” Chief Barnes stated at a news briefing. “As a community, our hearts are hurting.”
Initially, the injury count stood at ten, but as more victims sought medical attention, the number rose to 12. Ten of the injured had gunshot wounds, while one person sustained injuries from broken glass and a shoulder injury incurred during the evacuation. None of the injuries were deemed life-threatening, despite the severity of the incident.
“These students should be enjoying their summer break, not seeking medical care,” noted Barnes.
As of now, no suspects have been identified, and the motive behind the shooting is still unclear. The Madison Police Department is conducting an investigation, with detectives examining digital evidence to identify the person or persons who arranged the party.
This incident was part of a violent weekend in Madison, which witnessed two other distinct shooting incidents. On Friday, a 27-year-old man lost his life in a shooting, and on Sunday evening, a drive-by shooting resulted in two more injuries, one severe. Authorities do not believe these incidents are related, but the investigations are ongoing.
Madison’s Mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway, expressed her condemnation of the violence and reiterated her support for stringent gun control. In her statement, she underscored, “We need to stop accepting guns as a conflict resolution tool and limit their availability.”
No University of Wisconsin-Madison students were involved or injured in the rooftop shooting, according to university officials. The campus police are closely collaborating with the Madison Police Department to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
The police revealed that there were more than 25 attendees present at the Lux Apartment building party at the time of the shooting, although initial estimates suggested several hundred might have been there. Since 2016, the Madison Police Department has responded to 453 service calls at The Lux, including medical emergencies and other incidents. The police chief has indicated that discussions with the property managers about the installation of security cameras and other safety measures are imminent.
Chief Barnes commended the quick response of the emergency services, which helped manage the chaotic scene and provide timely medical assistance to the injured. “Our first responders did an incredible job under very challenging circumstances,” he expressed.
These shootings mark the end of a five-week period of quiet in Madison, with no reports of gunfire. The police and fire departments had recently received training for active shooter situations, though they had not expected to put those skills to use so soon.
