Natalie Rupnow cops probing ‘manifesto’ after crazed school rampage left two people dead as SWAT teams stun grenade home
COPS investigating a school shooting that left two people dead are probing a supposed manifesto that might be linked to the female shooter.
Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow was named as the shooter who opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.
One student and a teacher were killed in the rampage before Rupnow, 15, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.
Six people were injured as chaos unfolded inside a classroom containing mixed-grade students just days before Christmas.
Madison police have launched an investigation and raided Rupnow’s home.
SWAT teams swooped on the house – around eight miles from the school – and hurled stun grenades into the property.
Neighbors told the CNN affiliate WTMJ-TV that they heard bangs and saw flashes as the grenades detonated.
“The front door was taken off and nobody was around, and the detectives are in there mopping up the mess,” one local said.
Shon Barnes, the Madison Police Chief, revealed Rupnow’s parents are cooperating in the early stages of the probe.
Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced online that a manifesto of some kind may be linked to the shooter.
But police have stressed they’ve been unable to verify the alleged document.
“We haven’t been able to verify that it’s authentic,” Barnes said.
“We’re certainly aware that it’s been posted, and the person who posted it alleged to have a connection with the victim.”
One law enforcement source told CNN that officers were probing notes that seemed to suggest Rupnow had been dealing with problems.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, but investigators believe Rupnow used a 9mm pistol to carry out the massacre.
They are unsure how she got hold of the weapon.
Police do not know where the gun came from.
What to know about Abundant Life Christian School shooting
Three people are dead after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 16.
Cops say a teen stormed campus with a 9mm pistol and killed a teacher and student before turning the gun on themself.
Six others, believed to be all students, are wounded and two are in critical condition.
A total of 390 students are enrolled at the K-12 Christian school, according to the institution’s website.
It serves about 200 families from 56 different churches on its 28-acre campus.
The tragedy unfolded in the last few days before students were released for Christmas break.
Barnes also said cops believe Rupnow was at the school before the shooting unfolded.
A second-grader called 911 just before 11am local time to report the shooting.
Cops swooped on the school within three minutes of the 911 call.
In less than 10 minutes, Madison cops confirmed that the shooter was down and they had found a gun.
Cops and fire crews then combed the school to find victims before bomb dogs were brought in.
Nora Gottschalk, eight, told the CNN affiliate WISC-TV that she saw an injured teacher clutching her leg.
The second-grader said she was “really scared.”
Her dad, Karl, said the youngster didn’t have any shoes on when he collected her.
“I was in the hallway, and I was changing from my shoes to my boots to go to lunch, because I have recess after, but then I heard the shooting and screams,” Nora said.
TERRIFIED KIDS
“We went to the church right next to my school, and everyone was panicking still, because a lot of police were there.”
Meanwhile, Adler Jean-Charles, a sixth-grader, said he heard two gunshots.
“Some people started crying, and then we just waited until the police came and they escorted us out,” he said.
Students were told to lock down as the chaos unfolded.
The school had previously worked with the police force on what to do if there was an active shooter situation.
“When they heard ‘lockdown, lockdown’ and nothing else – they knew it was real, but they handled themselves brilliantly,” Barbara Wiers, the director of elementary and school relations for the school, said.
LOCK DOWN
Wiers hailed the children, saying they behaved “magnificently” even though they were terrified.
Of the six people that were injured, two are in a critical condition.
A teacher, and three students suffered non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released from the hospital.
The victims have not been identified.
Outgoing US President Joe Biden branded the shooting “shocking and unconscionable.”
“We cannot continue to accept it as normal,” he said in a statement.
“Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom.”