Police are investigating whether a teenage girl who killed a teacher and fellow student at a school in Madison, Wisconsin, had been bullied prior to the shocking incident.
Police responded to reports of an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School just before 11 a.m. on Monday morning and entered the building immediately upon arrival.
The 15-year-old suspect was later identified by police as Natalie Rupnow. She was pronounced dead when police arrived at the scene of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said on Monday.
Six others were left injured, including two left two in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Barnes said her motive may have been a “combination of factors” and that police were talking to students to determine whether Rupnow had been bullied. The teenager’s family are cooperating with the police.
The two victims are yet to be named.
A second-grade teacher dialled 911 to report the shooting, police clarified on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden, who was briefed on the school shooting on Monday, described the incident as “shocking and unconscionable.
NEW: 15-year-old shooter pictured with shotgun at firing range just months before her deadly rampage
The father of school shooter Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, who killed two people and wounded six others at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, encouraged the 15-year-old to practice her weapons-handling skills in the months leading up to Monday’s bloodshed, according to a review of his online activity.
In August, Jeff Rupnow – who was unable to be reached on Tuesday – posted a photograph on Facebook of what appears to be his shotgun-wielding daughter shooting clay pigeons at a local gun club.
“Is that kiddo?” a friend commented.
“Sure is!!!!” Rupnow, the father of one, replied. “We joined NBSC this spring and we have been loving all [sic] every second of it!”
Rhian Lubin18 December 2024 01:06
Recap: What we know about the deadly shooting in Madison, Wisconsin
A 15-year-old student killed two people, injured six others, and died in a shooting at a private K-12 school in Madison, Wisconsin, police said Monday.
The shooting occurred at Abundant Life Christian School around 11 a.m. A teacher, student and shooter were found dead at the school.
Though the victims are still to be named officially, here’s what we know so far:
Mike Bedigan18 December 2024 01:00
In pictures: Madison officials provide updates on Tuesday
Mike Bedigan18 December 2024 00:30
Madison teacher reportedly stood between students and door with scissors during shooting
As the deadly shooting was taking place at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday one teacher took a defiant stand to protect the students.
Kellen Lewis, who has four children, said that the incident had taken place close to where his third-grade son was attending class.
“My third grade son mentioned that his teacher stood between the door and where the kids were hiding with scissors,” ready to defend the children in the classroom, Lewis told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Lewis said his four children range in age from 4 to 12 and the older ones understood what had happened and are not afraid to go back to Abundant Life Christian School.
Mike Bedigan18 December 2024 00:00
Watch: Wisconsin Police Department offer condolences to victim’s families after school shooting
Mike Bedigan17 December 2024 23:40
Were the victims of the shooting targeted?
At a press conference on Tuesday, Madison police chief Shon Barnes did not confirm if there had been a specific connection between the victims and the suspected shooter, or whether they had been specifically targeted in the attack.
“Everyone was targeted in this incident and everyone was put in equal danger today,” he said.
Mike Bedigan17 December 2024 23:20
Police chief hails ‘incredible demonstration of support’ from county and state
At Tuesday’s press conference, Madison police chief Shon Barnes hailed the “incredible demonstration of support” following the shooting on Monday.
“The past 24 hours have been a flurry of emotion, sadness, anger, disappointment, grief for the Madison community,” he said. “We’re brought together by a tragedy, and today, three families woke up this morning to a world without a loved one, and that can never be undone.”
he added: “In the midst of this tragedy, our community has come together in an incredible demonstration of support from Madison and indeed the state of Wisconsin and our nation. I cannot express enough gratitude to the many emergency response agencies who provided direct support to the Madison Police Department.”
Mike Bedigan17 December 2024 23:00
In pictures: Locals leave tributes outside school following shooting
Mike Bedigan17 December 2024 22:40
Children going to school on Tuesday was an ‘act of bravery’ says Wisconsin official
Melissa Agard, a Dane County Executive, praised both students and school staff in the district and nationwide for going to school a day after the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin.
“Kids, my kids, teachers across our community and in fact across our nation had to wake up and go to school today and that was an act of bravery,” Agard said at press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“Parents dropping their children off after what we witnessed yesterday took an act of bravery and a belief in our community. And that’s a bravery we should not have to put on the shoulders of our children and our families and out community.”
She added: “Right now it’s OK to not feel OK.”
Mike Bedigan17 December 2024 22:20
What to know about the Madison school shooting victims
A student and a teacher were killed during the deadly shooting that occurred at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday in Madison, Wisconsin.
Police were yet to officially name the two ahead of a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Here’s what we do know about the victims so far:
Mike Bedigan17 December 2024 22:00