Wisconsin school shooting latest: Natalie Rupnow, 15, identified as shooter

Authorities report that two individuals lost their lives and the gunman has been confirmed dead at a Christian school in Wisconsin.

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A 15-year-old girl, identified by the police as Natalie Rupnow, shot and killed a teacher and a classmate during an attack at a K-12 school in Madison, Wisconsin.

Authorities arrived at Abundant Life Christian School shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday after receiving reports of an active shooter and quickly went into the building upon getting there.

Rupnow, known as "Samantha," was declared deceased when police reached the location of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes.

Six other people have been injured, with two of them in serious condition due to life-threatening injuries. The reason behind her actions is still unknown.

According to police on Monday, a second-grade student called 911 to alert them about the shooting incident. Officers discovered a handgun at the location. The chief noted that Rupnow’s family is working together with the authorities.

After being updated on the school shooting that occurred on Monday, Joe Biden remarked, “It’s both shocking and unacceptable. We urgently need Congress to take action. Right now... Jill and I are holding all the victims in our thoughts, including the teacher and the teenager who lost their lives, as well as those who were injured.”

A candlelight vigil will take place on Tuesday night as the community in Madison copes with the recent attack.

Police And ATF Team Up To Trace Shooter's Gun

Authorities are collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to trace the source of the firearm thought to have been used by school shooter, Natalie Rupnow.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes informed CNN that they have requested their associates at the ATF to speed up a process known as an ATF trace form. This is aimed at uncovering the weapon's history, including who bought it and how it ended up in the possession of a 15-year-old girl.

The police chief stated that it's important for Americans to improve their efforts to prevent children from getting their hands on guns.

"I don't think 15-year-olds should be allowed to have weapons that they could take to school and possibly harm someone," he added.

"We need to improve our efforts, both locally and nationally, to ensure that young people are kept away from guns and weapons. It's also crucial that we focus on the mental well-being of our children."

James Liddell December 17, 2024 14:50

Police Uncertain If Teacher And Student Were Targets

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes stated that officials are uncertain if the teacher and student who lost their lives in the shooting on Monday were specifically targeted by the attacker.

According to the police on Tuesday, a substitute teacher was also injured during the incident.

"We're unsure if there would be any motive for targeting a substitute teacher in this situation, especially since they don't have deep connections to the school," Barnes explained to CNN.

James Liddell, December 17, 2024, at 2:30 PM

Wisconsin Teen Natalie Rupnow: A Rare Female Shooter

After her assault on the Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin, Natalie Rupnow has become part of an unusual group of school shooters: female perpetrators.

On Monday morning, a 15-year-old girl tragically took her own life with a gunshot wound. She is among the rare female individuals involved in school shootings in recent history, following an incident in which a teacher and a student lost their lives at Madison School.

The vast majority of these attacks are carried out by armed individuals, and since 1999, only nine female students have been involved in school shootings, including the incident in Madison, as reported by a database from the Washington Post.

Josh Marcus and James Liddell are the ones sharing the story.

James Liddell December 17, 2024, 2:10 PM

"Little Boy Speaks On Wisconsin School Shooting"

A frightened young boy shared the terrifying events that took place at his school in Wisconsin when a teenager began shooting, resulting in the deaths of a teacher and another student before she took her own life.

Just before 11 a.m. on Monday, police officers responded to a shooting incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. This was triggered by a call to 911 made by a second-grade student, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

Authorities reported that the person responsible for the shooting, a 15-year-old student named Natalie Rupnow, fired a handgun at both faculty and classmates, resulting in the deaths of one teacher and one student.

James Liddell knows the entire narrative.

James Liddell, December 17, 2024, 1:50 PM

Timeline: 30 Minutes After 2nd Grader Called 911

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes provided an overview of the crucial moments surrounding the incident and the subsequent police reaction at Abundant Life Christian School during a press briefing on Monday.

10:57 a.m: A second-grade student calls 911 to inform them about the incident involving gunfire.

11 a.m.: A deputy from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office was the first to arrive at the scene, followed closely by a Madison police officer. The officers entered the school immediately upon their arrival.

11:05 a.m.: The shooter has been taken down, and the authorities have secured a firearm, according to police reports. Emergency responders from the fire department have arrived to assist those injured.

11:14 a.m.: The school building starts to be evacuated.

11:23 a.m.: Bomb detection dogs have been sent in to secure the school.

11:26 a.m: Injured individuals receiving care on the school premises are starting to be taken to hospitals.

12:15 p.m.: The initial press conference took place.

James Liddell, December 17, 2024, 1:30 PM

Police Look Into Shooter's Possible Manifesto Today

On Tuesday, Chief Shon Barnes reported that the Madison police are investigating a potential "manifesto" that has been shared online, which could be linked to the deceased school shooter, Natalie Rupnow.

“We have learned about a document, or perhaps a letter, that has been shared by someone claiming to be her friend,” he shared with CNN.

"We haven't found that individual yet, but we're planning to focus on it today."

James Liddell, December 17, 2024, at 1:10 PM

8-Year-Old Girl Describes Teacher In Pain: "My Leg!"

Eight-year-old Nora Gottschalk was in the school when Natalie Rupnow reportedly started targeting people inside the building.

"I was getting ready to eat lunch, since it was around that time, when I suddenly heard someone yelling," the young girl shared with News 3 Now, holding tightly to her SpongeBob candy.

"Suddenly, a teacher appeared, and she was yelling, 'Oh no, my leg! Someone help me!'"

She expressed, "I felt a lot of fear and deep sadness."

Another second-grader, Noah, put his life on the line by crawling out from beneath the table where all the kids were hiding to pull the curtain shut, trying to shield the group from the shooter’s line of sight.

"He put his life on the line to lower the black curtain," Nora said, adding that Noah is safe and well.

James Liddell – 17th December 2024, 12:50 PM

"Father Commends School's Shooting Preparedness"

Father Kellen Lewis is confident that Abundant Life Christian School has adequately equipped both students and teachers to handle the unfortunate but increasingly frequent risk of a school shooting.

Numerous doors at the school were secured, and students were told to gather in the corners of their classrooms. Mr. Lewis mentioned to The New York Times, “They had a plan in place, and that plan likely contributed to saving some lives.”

Josh Marcus on December 17, 2024, at 12:30 PM.

Police Identify 15-Year-Old School Shooter

James Liddell December 17, 2024, 12:10 PM

Sixth Grader Shares Terrifying Gunshot Experience

Adler Jean-Charles, a sixth-grade student, recounted the terrifying moments inside the K-12 school in Madison when the sound of gunfire erupted.

"We could hear them, and a few people began to cry. Then we just stood by until the police arrived and guided us to the church," he shared with ABC 7. "I felt frightened, wondering, 'What could have prompted this? Why did it happen?'"

He went on to explain, "I was in my English class when they announced it was a lockdown drill. We moved to the side of the building and later headed to the church after they came to guide us."

"They provided us with some food and then stood by as we were taken to the hospital to join our parents."

Jean-Charles' mother, Mireille, struggled to hold back her tears as she spoke about how the situation has affected both her son and her.

"She expressed her relief, saying, 'I'm so grateful they are okay.'"

"The trauma is overwhelming. I can only imagine how many friends and teachers they’ve lost, and that’s just heartbreaking. I don’t believe they will feel alright for a long time, and honestly, I’m not doing well either."

James Liddell, December 17, 2024, at 11:50 AM.