A 15-year-old female student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Monday morning, killing a teacher and a teenage student before taking her own life, police said.
Police identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha on social media. She died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound en route to the hospital. Six others were injured in the attack: two students remain in critical condition, while two students and a teacher sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
According to early reports, Rupnow appeared to be a radical feminist driven by a hatred of men.
“Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. “These types of trauma don’t just go away… My heart is heavy for my community.”
A second-grade student called 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report the shooting. A Dane County deputy arrived three minutes later, with officers securing the shooter and recovering the handgun by 11:05 a.m. Police did not discharge their weapons during the response.
New details: Mass shooter Natalie L. Rupnow transferred to the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisc. this academic year, according to a source I spoke with.
One of the victims wounded was shot in the throat. That student is in a coma in the hospital.
The adult who… pic.twitter.com/7snrDP0Ar4
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) December 17, 2024
The attack occurred during a mixed-grade study hall at the private K-12 school, located five miles east of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Barbara Weirs, Director of Elementary and School Relations, confirmed the school lacks metal detectors but conducts safety drills, including a lockdown practice at the academic year’s start.
“As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement.
The shooter’s family is cooperating with investigators, with her father consenting to a house search. Police have not released victims’ names pending family notifications.
SSM Health reported treating four patients, with two discharged and two in stable condition by Monday evening. All students were reunited with their families, and the school remains closed for investigation.