On Monday, a tragic event unfolded in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old girl took the lives of a teacher and a teenage student and injured six others in a shooting at a private Christian school. The incident took place at Abundant Life Christian School during a study hall session.
Authorities identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow. The Madison Police Chief, Shon Barnes, reported that Rupnow turned the gun on herself and succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound while being transported to the hospital.
Following the incident, the police initiated discussions with Rupnow’s father and other relatives, who were reported to be cooperative. Additionally, investigations were conducted at Rupnow’s residence. Chief Barnes refrained from disclosing further details about the shooter, citing respect for the privacy of the family.
“He lost someone as well,” Barnes said of Rupnow’s father. “And so we’re not going to rush the information. We’ll take our time and make sure we do our due diligence.”
Barnes said he did not believe that the school, which serves 200 students, according to the school’s website, had a resource officer. It was also revealed that the school did not have metal detectors, but did have cameras and other security protocols.
Emergency vehicles are seen parked outside of the health clinic where parents were reunified with children after a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)
President Biden spoke with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway following the shooting, and issued a separate statement calling the event “shocking and unconscionable.”
“We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart,” Biden said.
The FBI’s Milwaukee bureau says it has deployed agents to the scene to assist in investigating.
Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom, Stepheny Price and Bradford Betz, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report.
