Madison Christian school shooting; 3 dead, suspected teen shooter identified

MADISON, Wis. - The Madison Police Department said three people are dead and six others were wounded after a shooting at Madison Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning, Dec. 16. 

The suspected shooter, Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old female who went by the name "Samantha," died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The other two deceased are a teacher and a teenage student.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said of the six injured, two students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Four other students were wounded – their injuries are non-life threatening. In fact, two of the survivors have already been released from the hospital.

Police are working to determine Rupnow’s motive. Officers have talked with her family.

Barnes said a handgun was recovered from the scene, but the motivation behind this shooting is not known at this time.

"Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but our entire country, where yet another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community, specifically in one of the places that's most sacred to me as someone who loves education and to someone who has children that are in schools," said Chief Barnes said.

The shooting happened in a study hall classroom, with students of mixed grades inside. A second-grader called 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report the shooting.

Officers were dispatched to the scene just before 11 a.m. Monday. When police arrived on the scene, they found multiple victims – and the shooter deceased in the building.

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"We had hoped we would never have to put it into practice one more time on behalf of the Madison Fire Department. Our hearts are with you. Our arms are around you, and we will be with you throughout the duration of this," said Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon.

"I want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the victims and families and to the whole abundant life community. Our focus now is on supporting them and supporting the victims and their families. And we will continue to do that through the coming days and weeks," said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

"Every one of us is affected by this unimaginable and unacceptable violence that has hit our community. Today, Dane County stands united in grief with the Abundant Life Christian School community," said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard."

Reaction

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers

"There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning.

"Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in praying for the families and loved ones of those whose lives were so senselessly taken and for the educators, staff, and the entire Abundant Life school community as they grapple with the grief, trauma, and loss of this gut-wrenching tragedy. We are also praying and hoping all those injured survive and recover.  

"Kathy and I are also keeping in our hearts the first responders who acted quickly and ran toward danger to help save lives. This day will no doubt weigh heavily on them, and we are grateful for their critical response efforts in answering the call when they were needed most.

"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. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.

"Today my focus is on supporting these families and kids and the Abundant Life community, and the state stands ready to support them and the efforts of local law enforcement through what will undoubtedly be difficult days ahead."

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly

"Our hearts are heavy with great sorrow as we mourn the senseless loss of life in yet another school shooting. No community should ever face the pain of losing children, teachers, or friends to violence – especially in our schools. Our schools are meant to be safe places.

 "This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to protect our children and our educators to ensure that such horrors never happen again. We will not rest until we find solutions that make our schools safe, and so our children feel secure. We owe it to every student, parent, and teacher to turn this great sense of grief that we are experiencing into action and build a future where senseless acts of violence are no longer a reality. The time for change is long past. Together, we will stand strong and demand the safety our children deserve."

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard 

"Today, our community is reeling from the heartbreaking and senseless tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the students, educators, and everyone affected by this unimaginable and unacceptable violence.

"Dane County stands united in grief with the Abundant Life Christian School community. We are committed to supporting the school, its students, and their families during this devastating time, and will work closely with law enforcement and other first responders, mental health professionals, and community leaders to provide resources and care for those who need it most.

 "No community should ever have to endure such a tragedy. My administration will do everything in its power to provide assistance in the face of this devastating loss. To all those grieving, please know that you are not alone. Dane County stands with you, and we are here to support you in any way possible. I have been in communication with the Governor’s office as well as the Mayor of Madison’s office and we will continue to update the public as we learn more."

Forward Latino National President Darryl Morin

"On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, Affiliates and Members, I express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of today’s mass school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to all the survivors. 

"While we await further details of today’s tragedy, Forward Latino calls on the Wisconsin State Legislature to convene for the purposes of passing commonsense gun violence reform measures that are overwhelmingly supported by Wisconsin’s gun owners and non-gun owners. These measures include passing legislation that will require universal background checks on all gun sales, allow for members of law enforcement as well as family members to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order otherwise known as a red flag law when and individual with a firearm is deemed a imminent threat to themselves or others, and lastly to require all firearms be stored safely so that unauthorized users are denied access. These commonsense reforms are proven to help prevent gun violence. 

"Forward Latino stands ready to work with all members of the legislature to make this happen. 

"Once again, our prayers for the lost and the grieving, as well as our pledge to continue our efforts to stop what we know are preventable acts of gun violence."

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action

"As a mother of four, I live with fear every time my children step out the door. But if there’s one place they should always be safe, it’s at school.

"The news of yet another school shooting is absolutely heartbreaking. These tragedies aren’t inevitable — they’re the result of choices made by lawmakers who prioritize gun industry profits over our children’s lives. It doesn’t have to be this way – our children deserve better, they deserve to live."

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

"Just days after we remembered the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School, another school community has been subjected to the terror of a mass shooting in Madison. Students deserve to attend school free from gun violence, but in our country, it is the number one killer of children—a devastating, preventable tragedy that demands action from our elected leaders.

 "My heart goes out to those senselessly killed and injured today, their families and the entire Madison community."

Training for this scenario

Madison's police chief indicated his officers were trained for a situation like this school shooting as recently as two weeks ago. Those officers are trained to "stop the killing, to stop the dying and find who is responsible." Officers did not fire their weapons. 

The school has been through a secondary clearing. Investigators also went through the school with the help of what officials called "bomb dogs."

"To be honest with you, I'm feeling a little dismayed now," Chief Barnes said, "So close to Christmas, every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. And these types of trauma don't just go away. And we need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened."

The ATF is already on the scene and assisting investigators from Madison. 

Parents of students at the school are reuniting with their children at a center about a half-mile from the school.

"I'm asking everyone to send your heart, your heartfelt wishes and prayers and thoughts yet again to a community. But this time it's my community," Chief Barnes said. 

U.S. school shooting data

According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, this is the 38th school shooting in the U.S. since 2001 that killed at least two people (not counting the shooter). 

Of those 38 school shootings, this is the 19th that meets the FBI's definition of an active shooter situation. Those 19 active shooters killed 126 people and wounded 13 more. The other 19 that did not meet the active shooter definition involved everything from a shooting after a graduation to drive-by shootings, fights and even the end of a police chase.

The K-12 School Shooting Database was created by David Riedman, who is currently an assistant professor at Idaho State University. He’s a board member of The Violence Project and the Chief Data Officer for Merrill Herzog, a commercial risk management and crisis response firm.

Monday news conferences

Security expert weighs in

Avoid the area

For those in the area, roads will be blocked off along 4900 Buckeye Road. Drivers and community members are asked to find alternate routes as needed in this area.

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The Dane County Sheriff’s office is assisting with the investigation.