Carolanah Rae Schenk was an 11-year-old sixth grader at Forest Edge Elementary School when she died of a gunshot wound on September 28, 2021, in Fitchburg, a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin. She enjoyed gymnastics, skateboarding, video games and spending time with family and the family dogs.

Fitchburg police found Carolanah that evening and she was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her family described the shooting as a tragic accident. Carolanah’s 15-year-old brother was taken into custody and booked into the Dane County Juvenile Reception Center on a tentative charge of homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon; the case was expected to proceed through the juvenile justice system. Specific details about the final legal outcome for the brother have not been publicly disclosed.

If anyone knew Carolanah or has information about the circumstances that night, please share what you know.