Police have identified a pupil responsible for opening fire at a private Christian school in the US, which left a teacher and a teenage student dead. Natalie Rupnow – also known as Samantha – was said to have injured four others during the dreadful incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.
Among the injured, two are critically fighting for their lives, but it has not been clarified whether they are children or adults.
Natalie was found deceased after the emergency services rushed to the school with tuition fees costing up to $10,000 (£7,800) a year. While initially believed to be 17, officials confirmed that Natalie was only 15 years old.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes addressed the media, expressing his grief: “Today is a sad day not only for Madison, for our entire country. We have to do a better job in our community.”
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He further stated that authorities have yet to establish a motive for the shooting and mentioned that Natalie, a student at the school, presumably died from a self-inflicted wound. Details of the victims remain undisclosed as investigations are ongoing, reports the Mirror.
The police responded to the active shooter situation at the Christian institution, which educates around 400 students, following a 911 call about the incident at approximately 11am local time (5pm UK time) on Monday. Speaking at the scene, Chief Barnes revealed the attacker had been attending classes before the tragic event unfolded.
The shooting was limited to a study hall with students from various grades. Barbara Wiers, the school’s director of relations, revealed that the school had undergone active shooter training earlier this year, making the information “very fresh” for educators to implement on Monday.
She explained that while the school doesn’t have a dedicated police officer, all classroom doors automatically lock and anyone wishing to enter the campus must be buzzed in through the main entrance. Ms Wiers, who was teaching during the attack, praised the students for handling themselves “brilliantly”.
She added: “They were clearly scared. When they heard ‘lockdown, lockdown’ and nothing else, they knew it was real.”
Students are not being hurried into interviews, according to Barnes. He stated: “We’re going to give them an opportunity to come in and speak to what they may have saw when they feel ready.”
Survivors of the shooting were transported to a reunification centre after the incident, as reported by NBC News.
The FBI is believed to be at the scene assisting local law enforcement.
President Joe Biden described the shooting as “shocking and unconscionable” in a statement. He added: “Students across our country should be learning how to read and write – not having to learn how to duck and cover,” Biden also urged Congress to act immediately on legislation that could prevent further gun violence.