Police have identified the shooter who opened fire inside Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, killing a teacher and a teenage student, and injuring six others. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, known as Samantha, was responsible for the tragic attack.
The shooting occurred during a study hall session with multiple grades in the room. Barnes reported that Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the attack. Rupnow’s father is cooperating with police.
A second-grade student made the initial 911 call to report the shooting at 10:57 a.m. “We’ll let that sink in for a minute… A second-grade student called 911,” Barnes said, underscoring the traumatic experience for all involved.
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Two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. A teacher and three other students sustained non-life-threatening injuries, with two already released from the hospital. The identities of the deceased teacher and student have not been disclosed.
Rupnow used a handgun in the attack. Abundant Life Christian School, which serves about 200 students, did not have a resource officer or metal detectors but did have cameras and security protocols in place. Police noted that they conduct active shooter training almost quarterly and had completed a session just two weeks prior.
Chief Barnes described the incident as a day that will be etched in the collective memory of Madison. “Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever,” he said, emphasizing the long-term emotional impact. All students have since been reunited with their parents.
President Joe Biden spoke with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, offering federal support and calling the shooting “shocking and unconscionable.” In a statement, Biden lamented the ongoing scourge of gun violence in schools. “Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom,” he said, adding that he and First Lady Jill Biden are praying for the victims and their families.
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed these sentiments, mourning the loss of life and praising first responders. “Doug and I are mourning the student and teacher who were killed and praying for all those who were injured,” she stated.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) called the violence “disturbing” and urged prayers for the affected families and community. Governor Evers ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until Dec. 22, saying, “It is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home.”
The school requested prayers from the community on its Facebook page, acknowledging the tragic event and its impact on their close-knit community. Former student Aaron Nienaber expressed his grief, saying, “This is not something that anyone would have ever seen coming at this small, tight-knit school.”
The investigation into the motive behind the shooting continues as Madison and the nation grapple with another senseless act of school violence.
This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.
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