Wisconsin Police Departments Scramble to Address Sudden Surge in Gun Violence Across Madison and Sun Prairie
MADISON, WISCONSIN — Law enforcement agencies in Madison and Sun Prairie are investigating a sudden and unexpected spike in gun violence, with at least eight incidents reported in Dane County since Friday.
Police say the rise comes as a surprise after what had been a steady decline in shootings throughout 2025, raising concerns about community safety and prompting increased patrols in affected neighborhoods.
‘It’s Unusual’: Madison Police Report Cluster of Weekend Shootings
Captain Dan Nale with the Madison Police Department said that while violent crime had been trending downward this year, the recent surge in shootings marks a concerning shift.
“In 2025, we’ve been kind of trending in the opposite direction, which is wonderful news,” Nale said. “So for this year, it is a little bit unusual to be notified of so many offenses over a weekend.”
The department’s Violent Crime Unit is investigating several of the incidents, including one on Langdon Street, a residential area near the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where many students live.
Nale said most of the recent shootings appear to be targeted or involve people who know each other, though investigations are ongoing.
“We’re not going to leave any stone unturned,” he added. “While no concrete connections have been made between cases, our detectives are looking at every possible link.”
Sun Prairie Police Describe Shooting as ‘Extremely Alarming’
In Sun Prairie, police are still searching for a suspect after a Tuesday morning shooting that left one person injured and more than 20 rounds fired in a residential area.
Lieutenant Ray Thompson said this year has seen only four shots-fired cases in the city — making the recent event particularly unsettling.
“This amount of rounds in a residential neighborhood is extremely alarming to us, and it’s not normal for Sun Prairie,” Thompson said. “We’re taking this incident incredibly seriously with our full detective unit involved.”
Thompson confirmed that the victim is expected to recover, and police are urging residents with doorbell or security footage to come forward.
Gun Safety Advocates Call for Stronger State Laws
Following the weekend violence, gun safety advocates are renewing calls for statewide reform to reduce gun-related crime.
Nick Matuszewski, Associate Executive Director at the WAVE Educational Fund, said Wisconsin’s lack of foundational gun laws contributes to the persistence of gun violence.
“Sadly, I wasn’t surprised,” Matuszewski said. “We lack some of the most basic laws to protect Wisconsinites from gun violence — things like universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders.”
He added that unsolved shootings can fuel ongoing violence and heighten fear in communities already struggling with safety concerns.
“When cases aren’t getting closed, it can lead to more gun violence and leave the public feeling less safe knowing that people who commit violent acts are still out there,” he said.
Police Asking for Public’s Help
Both Madison and Sun Prairie Police Departments are encouraging residents to help investigators by submitting any surveillance footage, tips, or eyewitness reports related to recent shootings.
Residents with information can contact:
- Madison Police at (608) 255-2345
- Sun Prairie Police at (608) 837-7336
- Or remain anonymous through Madison Area Crime Stoppers
Authorities say collaboration between police and the public will be critical in curbing this recent wave of violence. For updates on Wisconsin’s public safety stories and community alerts, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.