Who was Natalie Rupnow? Madison school shooter who killed 2
THE shooter accused of killing a teacher and student at the Abundant Life Christian School has been named as Natalie Runpow.
The 15-year-old, who died on the way to hospital, also allegedly injured a further six people in the deadly rampage on December 16, 2024.
Who was Natalie Rupnow?
Natalie Rupnow, also known as Samantha, was a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
She has been named as the person who carried out the deadly shooting on Monday, December 16, 2024.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a second-grade student called 911 at 10:57 am to report a shooting at the school.
“Let that sink in,” Barnes repeated twice at a news briefing, adding that police arrived within four minutes.
Tragic incident
The shooting occurred in a study hall, police said.
When officers flooded the school, they found the shooter dead from a self-inflicted gun wound, law enforcement sources told AP.
The shooter was pronounced dead on the way to hospital.
Two others were killed — a teacher and a teenage student — with six additional victims rushed to hospital, two in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Four — another teacher and three other students — had non-life-threatening conditions.
Two survivors were released from the hospital later the same day.
Cops suspect a 9mm pistol was used in the shooting and are working to piece together why the student opened fire.
The police did not fire any weapons during the incident.
Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes
Response
Chief Barnes said: “Today is a sad, sad day not just to Madison but to the entire community and for our country.
“I’m feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas.
“Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever… We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.”
Abundant Life Christian School also released a statement hours after the shooting reading: “Prayers requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up.
“We will share information as we are able. Please pray for our Challenger Family.”
President Joe Biden issued a statement on the evening of December 16, 2024, saying: “We need Congress to act. Now.
“From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don’t receive attention — it is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence.
Biden called for Congress to pass “common sense gun safety laws,” including universal background checks, a national “red flag law”, as well as a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said in a statement: “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.
According to the institution’s website, Madison Abundant Life Christian School serves approximately 200 families from 56 different churches in the Dane County area.
About 420 students are enrolled at the school, which is situated on a 28-acre campus and costs between $8,195 and $10,245 per year to attend.
Friday, December 20 was set to be the students’ final day before breaking up for Christmas break.
Abundant Life Christian School shooting timeline
On December 16, a student at Abundant Life Christian School opened fire on the private K-12 school in Madison, Wisconsin. Below is a timeline of the events that unfolded:
10:57 am – Someone in the school calls 911 to report an active shooter
11:20 am – Public safety alert is sent out to nearby phones
11:38 pm – Madison Police Department confirms multiple people are injured
12:38 pm – Abundant Life Christian School requests prayers on Facebook
12:15 pm – Cops hold a press conference and confirm three people are dead, including the shooter, and at least six others injured
2:30 pm – At a second press conference, cops confirm the shooter was a teen who attended the school