MADISON, Wisc., Dec. 17, 2024 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Madison, Wisconsin, following a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School that claimed the lives of two victims and injured several others. Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes also reported that the shooter was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene and died in route to the hospital.
“The heartbreaking news that the lives of two individuals were senselessly taken is incomprehensible – especially as we head into Christmastime” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “The families of those killed and injured will never be the same, but we want them to know that they are not alone. Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will be there to provide comfort and prayer to the community that has been shattered by this horrific event.”
BG-RRT chaplains began arriving in the area on Monday, Dec. 16.
The BG-RRT is now ministering in five areas across the United States. In addition to Madison, the ministry is meeting emotional and spiritual needs in:
- Valdosta, Georgia (hurricane)
- Tampa, Florida (hurricane)
- Buncombe County, North Carolina (hurricane)
- Mitchell/Yancey County, North Carolina (hurricane)
Chaplains are also offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes in war-torn Ukraine.
For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit the BG-RRT press kit or BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.
Media Opportunities
- Interviews with:
- Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinators Madison, Wisconsin
- B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
- Interview request form
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into an international network of chaplains in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 800 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Erik Ogren
eogren@bgea.org