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Abundant Life Christian School shooting

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Abundant Life Christian School shooting
Exterior of Abundant Life Christian School, 2014
Abundant Life Christian School is located in Wisconsin
Abundant Life Christian School
Abundant Life Christian School
Abundant Life Christian School (Wisconsin)
Abundant Life Christian School is located in the United States
Abundant Life Christian School
Abundant Life Christian School
Abundant Life Christian School (the United States)
LocationMadison, Wisconsin, U.S.
DateDecember 16, 2024 (2024-12-16)
c. 10:57 – 11:05 a.m.[1] (CST)
TargetAbundant Life Christian School
Attack type
School shooting, mass shooting
Weapon9mm caliber pistol[2]
Deaths3 (including the perpetrator)
Injured6
PerpetratorNatalie Lynn "Samantha" Rupnow[3]
MotiveUnder investigation

On December 16, 2024, a school shooting occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.[4] Three people, including the perpetrator, identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow,[5] have been confirmed dead, with six reportedly injured.[1][6] According to CNN, the shooting is at least the 83rd school shooting in the U.S. in 2024.[2]

Background

Main article: Abundant Life Christian School

Abundant Life Christian School is a private K–12 school founded in 1978. The main building is located next to the City Church Madison and shares a 28-acre campus with the Campus for Kids Learning Center, an infants through kindergarten center in addition to the church. About 200 families from more than 50 local congregations are enrolled in the school, which had about 390 students enrolled at the time of the shooting. The school is part of the Trailways Conference, an athletic conference which includes other small public and private schools in the area.[7][8] At the time of the shooting the school had cameras installed but no metal detectors or a school resource officer.[9][10]

Including this shooting, there have been eighty-three school shootings in the United States in 2024. Female school shooting suspects are rare, with only eight other shooting suspects or about 4% identified as female since the 1999 Columbine High School Shooting.[11]

Shooting

The shooting occurred inside of a classroom which was a study hall.[12][13] According to the Madison Police Department, they received a 911 call from a second-grade teacher inside the school at 10:57 a.m. CST.[14][15][16][17] The shooting occurred in a mixed age and grade study hall.[9]

Law enforcement arrived at the school and found the shooter dead at 11:05 a.m., from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.[18] At 11:14 a.m. school staff and students were evacuated.[19] The suspect was initially reported as a teenage juvenile and a student at the school.[7] None of the responding officers fired their weapons. After an initial sweep of the school, police officials reported that there was no further threat to the public.[8]

According to various local news agencies, a public safety alert was sent to nearby phones at around 11:20 a.m.[7]

Victims

During an initial news conference, officials from the Madison Police Department reported that the death toll was five people, but later amended their report and said that at least three people, including the suspected shooter, were dead.[18] One of the deceased victims was a student at the school, while the other was a teacher, according to the police chief.[20]

Six people were injured, two critically.[18] Chief Barnes did not provide the ages and genders of the injured victims.[21] Four patients from the shooting were treated at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, according to Lisa Adams, a spokesperson for the hospital. Two of the injured victims were later discharged. The other two patients remained hospitalized but were in stable condition.[22]

Perpetrator

Natalie Rupnow, shown wearing a KMFDM T-shirt that Columbine shooter Eric Harris occasionally wore

A law enforcement official said that the perpetrator was identified as Natalie Lynn "Samantha" Rupnow, a 15-year-old female student at the school. Rupnow had a "turbulent home life", with her parents divorcing and re-marrying multiple times, with Rupnow having to move between her parents' homes two to three times a week.[23] Rupnow had been enrolled in therapy by July 2022, which was supposed to help guide decisions about which parent she would spend weekends with.[23]

Months prior to the shooting in August, Rupnow joined a gun club when her father took her to a shooting range.[24][25] Reduxx's Anna Slatz published on X (formerly Twitter) what she alleged to be the shooter's manifesto.[26][27] At the time of publication the manifesto was not yet authenticated by Madison police, who were working to do so.[28] Rupnow's alleged social media accounts contained feelings of alienation.[29] A photo of her wearing a KMFDM T-shirt — the same kind that Eric Harris, one of the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre, wore in various amateur videos — spread online.[30]

The police held a press conference at 9:30 p.m. ET releasing more information about the suspect's identity.[31] According to Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes, Rupnow was declared dead while being transported to the local hospital. Barnes also said that it seems Rupnow died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office will confirm an official cause of death later.[22]

Aftermath

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County announced they would hold a candlelight vigil the day after the shooting at the State Capitol grounds.[32]

On December 17, a memorial was set up to honor the victims of the shooting on a sidewalk near the school. Former students among others brought offerings such as poinsettia flowers to the memorial.[28]

Investigation

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was at the scene following the shooting. A spokesperson said the Bureau recovered the 9mm caliber handgun used in the shooting and was running a trace on it.[2] The perpetrator's family cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.[33] Chief Barnes said he was aware that alleged manifesto, claimed to be from the shooter, was circulating on the internet, but he could not confirm its authenticity.[34] Barnes also stated that he has requested that the ATF expedite their investigation into the shooter's whereabouts and method of obtaining the firearm. He stated that he is unsure if her parents owned or had possession of the weapon.[35]

The shooter's father's home was searched by law enforcement on 17 December, in order to gather computers and other personal devices that will be used to identify the shooter's digital footprint.[36][23] The shooter's mother's home was also visited by police on 17 December, but according to neighbors and eyewitnesses, it appeared nobody was home. Neighbors said they had little contact with the shooter's mother.[23] Additionally, police are searching the suspected shooter's social media accounts for hints that could help them establish motive behind the attack.[36]

Reactions

President Joe Biden condemned the incident as "shocking and unconscionable" in a statement. He called on Congress to take immediate action to address gun violence, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for children in schools. He advocated for Congress to pass gun safety laws including universal background checks, a national red flag law in addition to a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.[33]

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers ordered the United States and Wisconsin flags to be flown at half-mast and released a statement on X shortly after the shooting tweeting that he was closely monitoring the shooting and the community and was praying for the students, educators, and community as they await more information. He said, "We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond."[37]

Wisconsin senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson posted separate statements on social media offering their condolences and prayers to all the victims, and stated they would continue to monitor the situation and assist law enforcement as needed.[38] Shortly after the shooting, the school's Facebook page posted, stating that they had had an active shooter incident and were asking for prayers.[7]

Chief Barnes told the media, "Every child, every person in that building, is a victim and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don't just go away."[39]

At the vigil, Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard stated that the tragedy occurred less than two blocks from his childhood home. He claimed that simply stating that the district would improve safety was insufficient. He said, "We need to connect like we are tonight, each and every day and make a commitment that we know we're there for one another, hopefully to avoid preventable tragedies like yesterday."[40]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Kyle (December 16, 2024). "Three dead, including suspect, in shooting at Abundant Life Christian School". Channel3000.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Hammond, Elise; Sangal, Aditi; Radford, Antoinette; Wolfe, Elizabeth; Boyette, Chris (December 16, 2024). "Live updates: Shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin". CNN. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Live Updates: Police Seek Motive in Shooting at Wisconsin Christian School". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "Live updates: 3 dead in shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin". NBC News. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  5. ^ "Live Updates: Police Seek Motive in Shooting at Wisconsin Christian School". The New York Times. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Swartz, Sam; staff, WMTV News; Riet, Emily Van de (December 16, 2024). "At least 3 dead, including suspect, at a Christian school shooting in Wisconsin, police say". www.kplctv.com. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Suspected Wisconsin school shooter was juvenile, student at Abundant Life Christian School: Police". NBC Chicago. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Limehouse, Jonathan; Carson, Sophie; Thornton, Claire; Bacon, John (December 16, 2024). "'Sad day': 2 killed, shooter dead when gunfire erupts at Wis. school. Live updates". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Shapiro, Emily; Deliso, Meredith (December 16, 2024). "Police ID 15-year-old girl as Abundant Life Christian School shooter in Wisconsin, 2nd-grader made 911 call". ABC News. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  10. ^ Bauer, Scott (December 16, 2024). "Teacher and a teenage student killed in a shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin". AP News. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Breslow, Jason; Archie, Ayana (December 17, 2024). "Here's what we know about the deadly school shooting in Wisconsin". NPR. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  12. ^ Hammond, Elise; Sangal, Aditi; Radford, Antoinette; Wolfe, Elizabeth; Boyette, Chris; Almasy, Steve; Watson, Michelle; Romine, Taylor (December 16, 2024). "Live updates: Madison, Wisconsin school shooting, suspect identified as Abundant Life Christian School student". CNN. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Wisconsin school shooting: Teen student and teacher killed; suspect dead, 6 students hurt". 6abc Philadelphia. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Shapiro, Emily; Deliso, Meredith (December 16, 2024). "Police ID girl, 15, as alleged Wisconsin school shooter who killed student and teacher, injured 6". abc30. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Parry, Hannah; Castro, Amanda (December 16, 2024). "Abundant Life Christian School Shooting Live Updates: Three dead, say cops". Newsweek. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  16. ^ Brasch, Ben; Paúl, María Luisa; Parker, Nick (December 16, 2024). "Live updates: Student kills 2 and injures 6 at Madison, Wisconsin, Christian school, police say". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "2 killed, suspect dead in school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say". CBS News. December 17, 2024 [December 16, 2024]. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Bach, Caroline (December 16, 2024). "3 people have died, including the suspected shooter, in Abundant Life Christian School shooting". WKOW. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Birle, Jack (December 17, 2024). "What to know about the Abundant Life Christian School shooting in Wisconsin". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "'Sad day': Teacher, student killed; shooter dead at Wis. school. Live updates". USA Today. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  21. ^ "Shooter at Abundant Life school in Madison identified as 15-year-old female student". Milawiuke Journal Sentinel. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Police identify Abundant Life Christian School shooting suspect as 15-year-old female student". Spectrum News 1. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d Blaskey, Sarah; Marley, Patrick; Natanson, Hannah; Thebault, Reis (December 17, 2024). "Court records point to troubled home life for Wisconsin school shooter". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Adolphus, Emell (December 17, 2024). "Natalie Rupnow's Chilling Connection to Columbine Killer". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "What we know about the suspect in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  26. ^ "Natalie Rupnow's Reported Manifesto: What We Know". December 17, 2024. Newsweek. December 17, 2024.
  27. ^ "Yet again, horror in an American school: Two dead, six injured in Madison, Wisconsin shooting". World Socialist Web Site. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Richmond, Todd; Shastri, Devi (December 17, 2024). "Live updates from December 17: Madison Police hold news conference on Wisconsin school shooting". AP News. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  29. ^ "'Death will be freedom': What Wisconsin shooter Natalie Rupnow wrote in her 'War against Humanity' manifesto". The Times of India. December 17, 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Tan, Sarah (December 17, 2024). "Natalie Rupnow Pictured Wearing Same Shirt As Columbine Shooter". International Business Times UK. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  31. ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth; Boyette, Chris; Prokupecz, Shimon (December 16, 2024). "What we know about the Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting that left a student and teacher dead". CNN. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  32. ^ Tornabene, Juliana (December 16, 2024). "Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane Co. to hold vigil after Madison school shooting". 15 WMTV. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Foody, Katie; Superville, Darlene (December 16, 2024). "Live updates from December 16: Abundant Life Christian School Shooter was a 17-year-old female student, official tells AP". AP News. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  34. ^ Bach, Caroline (December 16, 2024). "MPD identifies suspected shooter at Abundant Life Christian School". WKOW. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  35. ^ "Things to know about the shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin". Associated Press. December 18, 2024. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Police looking into motivation of 15-year-old female Wisconsin school shooting suspect". Eyewitness News Abc 7. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  37. ^ Wise, Alana (December 16, 2024). "Three people are dead and several more are hospitalized in Wisconsin school shooting". npr.org. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  38. ^ Shapiro, Emily (December 16, 2024). "Abundant Life Christian School shooting in Madison: 2 killed, 6 hurt". ABC News. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  39. ^ Chasan, Aliza (December 16, 2024). "What we know about the Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting". CBS News. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  40. ^ "Community members wrestle with grief in aftermath of Wisconsin school shooting". Fox 29. December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
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