Madison authorities are intensifying efforts to determine the motive behind the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School that claimed the lives of a teacher and a student and left several others injured. The incident, which unfolded in a study hall classroom on Monday, marks the city's second school shooting within a year and has left the community grappling with grief and unanswered questions.
The shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, opened fire before dying of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound en route to the hospital, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. The medical examiner has yet to confirm the cause of death officially. Police are examining a handgun recovered at the scene and collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to trace its origin.
"We have asked our partners with the ATF to expedite what's called an ATF trace form to try and determine the origin of that weapon, who purchased it, and how it got from a manufacturer all the way to the hands of a 15-year-old girl," Barnes said during a press briefing. He acknowledged that these inquiries would take time but emphasized their importance in understanding the attack.
Authorities are also analyzing the suspect's social media activity and alleged writings, some of which have surfaced online. Investigators are interviewing Rupnow's family and friends, exploring multiple potential factors, including bullying, as contributing motives.
Rupnow, who also went by the name "Samantha," reportedly had a "turbulent home life," according to court documents reviewed by The Washington Post. Her parents, Jeff and Melissa Rupnow, divorced and remarried multiple times, creating an unsettled childhood that included frequent moves between households. The documents noted that Rupnow had undergone therapy to cope with the instability stemming from the custody arrangements.
In the months leading up to the shooting, Rupnow joined a shooting range with her father, sharing photos of the experience on social media. Her interest in firearms has raised further questions about her mental state and the circumstances surrounding her access to the handgun used in the attack.
The shooting left six individuals injured, two of whom remain in critical condition. Among the wounded are three students and a teacher who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Madison has since become a hub of vigils and public mourning, with hundreds gathering at events to honor the victims.
Charles Moore, executive director of Impact Christian Schools, which oversees Abundant Life Christian School, expressed the profound sorrow enveloping the community. "It's hard to comprehend the shock of what happened. Lives have been torn apart," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway echoed the sentiment during a vigil at the state Capitol on Tuesday night. "Let us be a community that takes care of each other," she urged. "That is where our focus is right now, on caring for everyone who has been impacted by this gun violence."
The tragedy has also reignited discussions around gun control and mental health in Wisconsin, particularly as it follows another school shooting in the area earlier this year. While officials have not yet determined where Rupnow obtained the firearm, Chief Barnes noted that investigators are probing whether her parents could face charges related to the weapon's availability.
