“Everyone was targeted” in Wisconsin school shooting, police say
Police say “a number of factors” appear to have led to a 15-year-old student carrying out a School shooting at private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, but declined to share more information.
A shooting at Abundant Life Christian School left three people dead, including the perpetrator, who police identified as a student Natalie Rupnow. Police said Rupnow, also known as Samantha, appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The other two dead were a teacher and a teenage student, who police have not yet identified. Six people were injured, including a teacher and five students. Four people remain in hospital receiving treatment.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes said he would not reveal more details about Rupnow’s motive for fear of jeopardizing the investigation. He asked anyone with information about Rupnow’s mental state before the shooting to contact Madison Crime Stoppers.
Barnes said investigators are focusing on Rupnow’s social media presence but did not share any specific information about the teen’s online behavior. Barnes said investigators are also trying to determine whether Rupnow was bullied and whether that affected her behavior, but he did not say whether anyone was specifically targeted.
“Everyone was targeted in this incident,” Barnes said. “Everyone is at the same risk.”
Barnes said Monday that police are investigating how Rupnow obtained the gun and that Rupnow’s family is cooperating with the investigation.
Barnes also addressed the circulation of a document purportedly related to the shooting that circulated online. Barnes said the authenticity of the document could not be confirmed and said detectives were investigating its origins and how it was shared online. He asked that the document not be disseminated or shared further and said police would provide updates where possible.
Barnes also clarified an earlier statement that a sophomore reported the shooting to 911. He said the shooting was actually reported by a second-grade teacher.
Barnes and other local officials said local schools were threatened with multiple beatings, leading to lockdowns. None of these threats resulted in violence.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said a vigil to honor the victims of the shooting will be held at the Capitol in Madison at 6 pm local time on Tuesday.
