A tragic incident unfolded on Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old girl took the devastating step of opening fire. This horrific act resulted in the loss of a teacher and a student, while also leaving six others injured.
According to the authorities, Natalie Rupnow, the suspect in question, has tragically passed away. The evidence strongly indicates that Samantha, the teenager in question, died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, the teenager used a handgun in the incident. The authorities are currently investigating the source of the firearm and conducting a search at Rupnow’s residence, located on the north side of the city.
During a news conference, Barnes stated that the motive behind the incident remains unclear.
During the conference, Barnes also responded to a question about whether the shooter was transgender by stating, “I don’t know whether [the shooter] was transgender or not.” However, he emphasized that the shooter’s gender identity was irrelevant to the authorities. He added, “I don’t think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may have wanted to identify.”
Officials said on Monday that it remains uncertain whether any of the victims were specifically targeted.
According to reports, the suspect’s father was in conversation with the police at one of their facilities.
Barnes said the police are currently investigating the extent of his knowledge or lack thereof regarding the events that transpired today. However, it is important to note that he, too, suffered a personal loss.
According to Barnes, the police are not currently seeking to press charges against Rupnow’s parents in relation to the fatal shooting.
Barnes stated that the parents are cooperating fully, and there is currently no reason to suspect them of committing a crime.
The shooting occurred shortly before 11 a.m. in a study hall that included students of various ages and grades.
The 911 call was made by a second-grader.
The school lacks metal detectors or a school resource officer, but it does have other security measures in place, such as cameras, according to the spokesperson.
“We underwent retraining before the school year began. As part of our standard drill protocols, we conducted lockdown and evacuation drills. Our students are familiar with these procedures, and our faculty is well-trained in them,” she explained. “At the start of the year, we also received updated training from the Madison Police Department, which introduced some new updates. Therefore, everything was still fresh in the minds of our faculty members.”
Our students performed exceptionally well during the lockdown drill. It was evident that they were scared initially because when we practice, we always reassure them by saying, “This is just a drill.” However, when they heard the words “Lockdown, lockdown” without any additional information, they knew it was a real situation. Despite their fear, they handled themselves brilliantly.
According to Barnes, two students are currently in critical condition with injuries that are life-threatening. In addition, three other students and a teacher sustained injuries that are not life-threatening.
Two individuals out of the four injured were released from SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison on Monday evening.
At approximately 10:57 a.m., officers swiftly responded to the report of an active shooter.
According to Barnes, the suspect was already deceased when the police arrived, and none of the officers had discharged their firearms.
According to the chief, the shooting occurred in a single location, although it remains uncertain whether it took place in a classroom or a hallway.
According to the police, it is believed that the suspect was already present inside the school premises and there was no evidence of any unauthorized entry.
John Diaz De Leon was in awe as he witnessed the overwhelming presence of police cars in his neighborhood. The flashing blue and red lights created a stunning scene, illuminating the school and the surrounding streets. The sight was so extraordinary that John had never seen anything like it before. The commotion attracted not only the police but also the fire department and paramedics, turning the typically peaceful neighborhood into a bustling hub of activity. The incident left John amazed and bewildered as he shared his account with ABC News Live.
According to his account, he witnessed officers carrying long guns at the scene, while older students were seen fleeing from the school to the parking lot.
“He said that the younger students holding hands were gradually released in a more organized manner, allowing them to cross the parking lot.”
According to the police chief, the suspect’s family is providing full cooperation.
Investigators are currently examining whether there were any possible indicators, according to Barnes.
“We hope that there will be some positive outcomes from this experience, as we can use it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and provide ongoing support to other schools,” stated Weirs.
In a heartfelt message, she expressed her gratitude to the first responders for their unwavering support during this difficult time. Additionally, she mentioned that the school community is finding solace in their faith.
In a statement on Monday evening, President Joe Biden expressed his shock and outrage over the incident, describing it as “shocking and unconscionable.” He called on Congress to take immediate action in response to the incident.
He strongly advocated for the implementation of “commonsense” gun safety laws, which encompassed universal background checks, a national red flag law, as well as a prohibition on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
The statement expressed deep concern over our failure to safeguard our children from the devastating impact of gun violence. It emphasized that accepting this as a normal occurrence is no longer an option.
In his address, President Biden highlighted his administration’s ongoing efforts to address the gun violence crisis in America. He specifically mentioned the establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of their strategy. However, he acknowledged that there is still much work to be done in this area. Additionally, President Biden extended his heartfelt prayers to the people impacted by the tragic incident in Madison.
Madison’s police chief revealed that he started his professional journey as a teacher.
“We owe it to our community to do everything possible to ensure [schools are] not only a special place, but a safe place,” he said.
“I hoped that this day would never come in Madison,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said.
Gun violence prevention is a pressing issue that she emphasized, expressing her desire for both the community and the nation to take proactive measures. She passionately stated that it is crucial to ensure that no public official ever finds themselves in such a position again.
Jill Underly, Wisconsin’s superintendent of public instruction, also emphasized the need for change, saying in a statement, “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.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement, “There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel,” calling the shooting a “gut-wrenching tragedy.”
Evers said he and his wife are “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.”
“It is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home,” he said. “This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.”
This story is still developing, so make sure to check back later for any updates.