The teenage girl who killed two people inside her Wisconsin school was a new student, just weeks into her first semester there, school officials said.
During her brief time at Abundant Life Christian School, Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow seemed to be settling in and adjusting well to her new classes, said Barbara Wiers, the school’s director for elementary and communications. She added that administrators had been working with her family on attendance, but teachers did not have any major concerns about the teen.
It’s still unclear what prompted the deadly violence inside the Madison school. Police Chief Shon Barnes said investigators believe a “combination of factors” triggered the violence, but did not provide specific details.
He added that officers are investigating the possibility of bullying. They are also talking with her father and other family members, who are cooperating with the probe.
Gunfire erupted inside Abundant Life Christian School on Monday just before 11 a.m., when Rupnow — armed with a pair of handguns — burst into a study hall and opened fire. Student Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, of Madison and teacher Erin West, 42, of DeForest were killed in the attack, which lasted a total of just 8 minutes, according to Wiers.
Another six people were wounded, including two who remain hospitalized in critical condition.
A resident places some flowers outside the Abundant Life Christian School Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Madison, Wis., following a shooting on Monday. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Authorities also found Rupnow dead on the scene. Police said she suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“I pray for this family because right now they’ve lost a daughter and they are wounded,” Wiers said. “And they’re dealing with the fact that their daughter did this terrible thing and hurt these other people. It has to be one of the loneliest, bitterest places to be.”