Wisconsin school shooting by first-semester student lasted 8 minutes: official

More details are emerging about the 15-year-old girl who police say killed a teacher and teen student in a shooting at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, with school officials revealing she was in her first semester at the school and that the terrifying attack lasted eight minutes.

Police say Natalie Rupnow opened fire inside a study hall inside Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) just before 11 a.m., killing a fellow student and a teacher, while six people were injured, including two students with life-threatening injuries. A motive for the slayings is unknown, with Rupnow taking her own life during the incident. 

Barbara Wiers, the school’s director for elementary and communications, said Rupnow was a new student at the school and that teachers had no significant concerns about her. 

Police, with the assistance of the FBI, were scouring online records and other resources and speaking with the shooter’s parents and classmates in an attempt to determine a motive, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Wednesday.

Police say they are aware of a document and possible images of the shooter being shared online but cannot verify its authenticity, nor can they confirm any social media accounts potentially belonging to the student due to the ongoing investigation.

“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,” Barnes said on Tuesday. “We may never know what she was thinking that day, but we’ll do our best to try to add or give as much information to our public as possible.”

The shooter brought two guns to the school, and it is unclear how she obtained the weapons. Only one gun, however, was allegedly used by Rupnow.

Rupnow’s deceased victims, 14-year-old student Rubi Patricia Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin M. West, will be laid to rest over the coming days. 

Vergara’s funeral is set for Saturday at City Church, which is adjacent to the school, and West’s funeral is Monday at Doxa Church in Madison, where she was a member, according to obituaries published Wednesday and Thursday.

Vergara was a freshman at ALCS, according to her obituary. 

“She was an avid reader, loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band. She shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog),” the obituary reads. 

West leaves behind a husband and three daughters. She worked at the school for the last four years. The first three of those were as a substitute teacher before she accepted a staff position as the sub coordinator and in-building substitute teacher.

Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School i

Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)

Four of the six who were injured have been discharged from the hospital, officials said. The two students with life-threatening injuries remain hospitalized. 

“Erin enjoyed family camping trips, attending school sporting events, serving at Doxa Church, and spending time with her daughters and the rest of her family,” her obituary reads. 

“ALCS is a better school for the work of Erin West,” the school said in a statement.

“She served our teachers and students with grace, humor, wisdom, and — most importantly — with the love of Jesus,” the school said. “Her loss is a painful and deep one and she will be greatly missed not just among our staff, but our entire ALCS family.”

Fox News’ Stepheny Price, Greg Wehner, Stephen Sorace and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

You May Also Like
Kidney donor Jose Gregorio Gonzalez detained by ICE hopes to save brother Jose Alfredo Pacheco of Berwyn, Illinois

ICE detains kidney donor Jose Gregorio Gonzalez in hopes of saving his brother Jose Alfredo Pacheco in Berwyn, Illinois.

BERWYN, Ill. — A man with 100% kidney failure is fighting to…
Netflix staff working on Meghan Markle's As Ever launch admit: 'We're already over it'

Netflix employees working on the launch of Meghan Markle’s As Ever series confess they are already feeling tired of it.

According to an insider speaking to MailOnline, employees at Netflix who are…
GOP senator's brutal four-word take down of HHS worker complaining about being fired

Republican Senator delivers harsh four-word response to Health and Human Services employee upset about termination

A GOP senator was recently confronted about the Trump administration’s mass layoffs…
Tesla owner fights back with warning to Cybertruck vandal, vows to 'make an example' of suspect

Tesla owner issues a warning to Cybertruck vandal and promises to take action against the suspect

As protests against Elon Musk’s Tesla brand are sweeping the United States,…
'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' brings back legendary bounty hunter and former Sith assassin 

‘Revisit the Legendary Bounty Hunter in “Star Wars: Stories from the Underworld”‘

LOS ANGELES — Are you a fan of Star Wars and looking…
7 Shows Like ‘Reacher’ If You Want More Handsome Loners Involved In Crime Capers

7 TV Series Similar to ‘Reacher’ for Fans of Charming Solitary Investigators in Criminal Adventures

Surprised by the intense Season 3 conclusion of Reacher? The climactic fight…
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial

Boston District Attorney Contemplating Criminal Charges Against ICE Agent for Arresting Undocumented Immigrant During Trial

A district attorney from Massachusetts is contemplating bringing criminal charges against an…
South Carolina deaths of former Bloomberg executive, wife and daughter leave neighbors perplexed

Former Bloomberg Executive, Wife, and Daughter’s Deaths in South Carolina Leave Neighbors Confused

The neighbors of a South Carolina family found dead in their home…
California man to plead guilty to attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh

California Man Admits to Trying to Assassinate Justice Kavanaugh

The man accused of planning to murder Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh…
Ex-Biden Aide: President Biden 'Fatigued, Befuddled, Disengaged' Before Debating Trump

Former Biden Staff Member Describes President Biden as ‘Tired, Confused, and Unfocused’ Prior to Facing off Against Trump

Have you ever come across a news story that made you question…
Nevada girl, 7, killed in Lake Tahoe ski resort boulder accident: police

Tragic Accident: 7-Year-Old Girl Dies in Boulder Incident at Lake Tahoe Ski Resort, Confirm Police

A 7-year-old Nevada girl died after being struck by a falling boulder…
'Fake News': Karoline Leavitt Calls Report About Elon Musk 'Garbage'

Karoline Leavitt Dismisses Report on Elon Musk as ‘Fake News’

After examining the situation, I discovered that the information provided came from…