An early morning shooting at a rooftop party in downtown Madison, Wisconsin left at least 12 people injured, including several teenagers, police reported on Sunday. The incident occurred at a high-rise apartment building near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Madison police were called to the scene around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2024. They found a chaotic scene with dozens of people fleeing the building. According to Police Chief Shon Barnes, the party was an unauthorized “sneak bash,” and the victims ranged in age from 14 to 23.
“It is truly a miracle that no one is dead,” said Chief Barnes at a news conference. “As a community, our hearts are hurting.”
Initially, ten people were reported injured, but the number rose to 12 as more victims came forward. Ten individuals were wounded by gunfire, while others suffered injuries from broken glass and a shoulder injury sustained while trying to escape the mayhem. Despite the severity of the situation, none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
“These students should be enjoying their summer break, not seeking medical care,” Barnes commented.
No suspects have been identified, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The Madison Police Department is currently investigating, with detectives examining digital evidence to determine who organized the party.
The shooting occurred during a violent weekend in Madison, which saw two other separate shooting incidents. On Friday, a 27-year-old man was killed in a shooting, and on Sunday night, a drive-by shooting left two people injured, one critically. Authorities do not believe the incidents are connected, but investigations are ongoing.
Madison’s Mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway, criticized the violence and advocated for tougher gun control. She emphasized, “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 working closely with the Madison Police Department to ensure the safety of students and staff.
According to the police, the party, held at the Lux Apartment building, had more than 25 attendees present at the time of the shooting, although initial estimates suggested several hundred might have been in attendance. Since 2016, the Madison Police Department has responded to 453 calls for service at The Lux, including medical emergencies and other incidents. The police chief has stated they will meet with the property managers to discuss installing security cameras and other safety measures to address ongoing concerns and prevent such incidents.
Chief Barnes acknowledged the swift 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 said.
These shootings come after a five-week period without any reports of gunfire in Madison. The police and fire departments had recently trained for active shooter situations, though they did not anticipate needing to use that training so soon.