Geoff Bennett:
Welcome to the "News Hour."

At least two people were killed and six others were injured at a private school in Madison, Wisconsin, this morning.

Amna Nawaz:
The suspected shooter was also found dead at the scene. Officials told the Associated Press she was a 17-year-old female student at the school. Authorities are now investigating her motive, and another American community is reeling from mass gun violence. (Editor's note: A law enforcement official had previously said the shooter at Abundant Life Christian School was 17 years old, but authorities subsequently released updated information noting the shooter was 15 years old.)

In a tragic scene far too familiar in America, police this morning rushed to respond to reports of an active shooter, this time at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Police say a teacher and a teenage student were killed. Two other students were in critical condition this evening.

Shon Barnes, Madison Police Chief:
To be honest with you, I'm feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas. Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don't just go away. And we need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened. And, right now, my heart is heavy for my community.

Amna Nawaz:
Officers say the shooter, who they also confirmed is dead, was a teenage student at the school, a small private institution in a residential Madison neighborhood serving 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Chief Barnes said that officers did not fire their weapons today and found the suspect, who used a handgun in the attack, dead inside the school building when they entered. A motive is still unknown. This year alone, across the U.S., more than 150 people were killed or wounded in at least 83 school shootings according to CNN.

At a reunification center set up by police, students' families gathered for the latest updates.

Bethany Highman, Parent:
I had to get here as soon as possible.

Amna Nawaz:
Bethany Highman's daughter attends Abundant Life Christian School.

Bethany Highman:
I bring my daughter to school knowing well that this happens in the world, that people are struggling. And I pray for my daughter's safety.

Satya Rhodes-Conway (D), Mayor of Madison:
I hoped that this day would never come in Madison.

Amna Nawaz:
This afternoon, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway delivered this plea to the rest of the country, as her city becomes part of a growing list that no community wants to be a part of.

Satya Rhodes-Conway:
It is not something that any mayor, any fire chief, any police chief, any person in public office ever wants to have to deal with. And so I will ask our entire community and our entire country to do whatever we can to make sure that no public official ever has to stand in this position again.