A Sunday morning shooting at a rooftop party in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, resulted in at least 12 casualties, including several teenagers, according to the police. The incident took place at a high-rise apartment near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Madison police responded to the incident around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2024. On arrival, they discovered dozens of people fleeing the scene. Police Chief Shon Barnes indicated that the party was an unauthorized event, dubbed a “sneak bash,” and the victims’ ages ranged from 14 to 23.
“It is truly a miracle that no one is dead,” Chief Barnes stated in a press conference. “As a community, our hearts are hurting.”
Initially, ten people were reported injured, but the count increased to 12 as more victims came forward. Ten of the victims sustained gunshot wounds, while others were injured by broken glass or in attempts to escape the chaos. Despite the seriousness of the incident, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
“These students should be enjoying their summer break, not seeking medical care,” Barnes said.
As of now, no suspects have been identified, and the motive behind the shooting remains unknown. The Madison Police Department is actively investigating, with detectives scrutinizing digital evidence to identify the party’s organizers.
The incident was part of a violent weekend in Madison, which witnessed two other separate shootings. On Friday, a 27-year-old man was fatally shot, and a drive-by shooting on Sunday night resulted in two more injuries, one critical. Authorities do not believe the incidents are connected, but investigations are ongoing.
Mayor of Madison, Satya Rhodes-Conway, decried the violence and called for stricter gun control measures. She stressed, “We need to stop accepting guns as a conflict resolution tool and limit their availability.”
University of Wisconsin-Madison officials confirmed that no university students were involved or injured in the rooftop shooting. The campus police are coordinating closely with the Madison Police Department to safeguard students and staff.
Police reported that over 25 attendees were present at the shooting at the Lux Apartment building, although initial estimates suggested a much higher number of attendees. Since 2016, the Madison Police Department has responded to 453 service calls at The Lux, including medical emergencies and other incidents. The police chief plans to meet with property managers to discuss implementing security cameras and other safety measures to prevent future incidents.
Chief Barnes credited first responders for their swift and effective response in managing the chaotic scene and providing timely medical assistance to the injured. “Our first responders did an incredible job under very challenging circumstances,” he acknowledged.
This spate of shootings follows a five-week quiet period with no reports of gunfire in Madison. The police and fire departments had recently trained for active shooter situations, though they did not expect to put their training into action so soon.
