MADISON, USA — As the community of Madison grapples with the aftermath of a fatal shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, investigators are delving into the background of the 15-year-old shooter, Natalie Rupnow, to piece together her motives and how she obtained the weapon used in Monday’s tragic attack.
The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Wednesday that Erin Michelle West, 42, of DeForest, and Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, of Madison, died at the scene.
Rupnow, who appears to have shot herself, succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital. Six others sustained injuries, with two still hospitalised in critical condition.
“This is a tragedy that has shaken our community to its core,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said in a press briefing Tuesday.
“Determining the motive behind this attack remains our top priority.”
Authorities revealed that Rupnow, who also went by the name “Samantha,” had been in contact with a 20-year-old man in Carlsbad, California, allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a government building.
Court documents detail their connection but leave unanswered questions about the extent of their plans.
The FBI and Carlsbad police are assisting in the investigation.
A Troubled Background
Rupnow’s home life and custody arrangement are under scrutiny.
Court records indicate her parents, Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow, divorced and remarried each other twice, requiring the teen to alternate between homes multiple times a week.
Documents also show she was enrolled in therapy, though details about the duration and type of treatment remain unclear.
Police are investigating the origins of the firearm used in the attack. A second gun was also recovered at the scene.
Chief Barnes noted that determining the weapons’ journey from manufacturer to Rupnow would be key in assessing any negligence by her parents.
“Our investigation will thoroughly examine whether the parents failed to secure their firearms appropriately,” Barnes said, adding that the couple is cooperating with law enforcement.
Community Grieves
The attack claimed the lives of a beloved substitute teacher and a freshman student, both remembered as pillars of kindness and creativity within the school community.
“She was always very kind and caring,” said Angel Brube, a seventh grader, describing West, the teacher who had been substitute teaching at the time.
“She loved everyone at our school and would have done anything for them.”
Vergara, described in her obituary as an avid reader and musician, shared a bond with her family and her pets. Her funeral service is scheduled for Saturday.
For students like sophomore Mackynzie Wilson, the trauma of the event remains raw.
“I didn’t know if I was going to live,” she said, recounting how she and her classmates huddled on the floor as gunfire erupted nearby.
Call for Action
The shooting has reignited debates on gun control laws in Wisconsin.
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard criticised the state’s “far too lax” regulations on firearm access, calling for background checks and red flag laws.
President Joe Biden and other federal officials also urged Congress to act.
“It is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence,” Biden said in a statement.
As Madison residents gathered at a vigil Tuesday night outside the Wisconsin State Capitol, candles flickered in freezing temperatures, and therapy dogs offered comfort. For many, the tragedy was a stark reminder of the urgent need for change.
“It’s an epidemic,” said Justin Myers, a local father. “Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need action.”
Investigation Continues
Investigators are analysing writings and social media activity linked to Rupnow, though police have not verified some documents circulating online.
Chief Barnes has urged the public not to share unverified material.
“This community will heal, but it will take time,” said Jerry O’Connor, a Wisconsin State Assemblyperson with family ties to the school.
“We must support one another in this moment of grief.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
