Police have identified a 15-year-old girl as the shooter responsible for opening fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, leaving a teacher and a teenage student dead and injuring six others.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that the suspect, Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha, carried out the attack during a study hall session where multiple grades were present.
Evidence suggested that Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnes noted that investigators are working with Rupnow’s father, who is cooperating with authorities.
The emergency response began with a call from a young student. “At 10:57 a.m., a second-grade student called 911 to report a shooting had occurred at school. We’ll let that sink in for a minute… A second-grade student called 91 ~ 0:57 a.m. to report a shooting at the school,” Barnes said.
The identities of the teacher and student who lost their lives have not yet been released. Barnes said two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while a teacher and three other students were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two of the injured have since been discharged.
Authorities are yet to determine a motive for the attack, with Barnes describing the emotional toll of the incident.
He said, “Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.”
The 200-student private Christian school did not have a resource officer or metal detectors but had cameras and other security measures.
Police stated they conduct active shooter training “almost quarterly,” with the most recent drill taking place just two weeks ago.
Barnes assured parents that all students had been safely reunified with their families. “A lot has gone on today. I can tell you that it’s not over… No one is thinking about going home right now, and they’re going to still work as long as they can to find as much information as they can,” he said, adding, “This is going to be a day that will be etched in the collective minds and memories of all those for Madison.”
President Joe Biden addressed the tragedy, speaking with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway to offer federal support.
Biden described the shooting as “shocking and unconscionable” in a statement, he said, “We are praying for all the victims, including the teacher and teenage student who were killed and those who sustained injuries. We are grateful for the first responders who quickly arrived on the scene, and the FBI is supporting local law enforcement efforts.”
He added, “At my direction, my team has reached out to local officials to offer further support as needed.”
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