Wisconsin school shooter identified as 15-year-old student Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow

Authorities confirm Natalie Rupnow opened fire at a Wisconsin Christian school, leaving two dead and several injured.

The teenage girl responsible for the fatal shooting of a student and teacher, and critically injuring two others at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, has been identified.  

Authorities revealed that Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School, brought a handgun to the campus and began shooting around 11 a.m. in a classroom during a study hall session.  

Both the teacher and a student were pronounced dead at the scene, while another teacher and five additional students sustained injuries. Two of the students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Monday night.  

Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital, Barnes confirmed.  

A manifesto containing hateful and angry views has surfaced online, which some social media users claim belonged to Rupnow. However, Barnes stated that the police have not yet confirmed the document’s authenticity.  

“We haven’t been able to verify that it’s authentic, we’re certainly aware that it’s been posted,” he said. Barnes added that his department is collaborating with the FBI to investigate the writings.  

SWAT teams searched Rupnow’s family home on Monday night, breaking through the front door and thoroughly combing through the property, according to WISN.  

The home, located about eight miles from the K-12 school in Madison’s state capital, is part of a community with just over 400 students.  

Rupnow opened fire inside a study hall classroom, which included students from various grade levels.

During the chaos, a second-grader in a nearby room called 911 for assistance, and police arrived on the scene within approximately three minutes, Barnes said.  

Investigators are continuing their efforts to determine Rupnow’s motive and have been questioning her father as part of the investigation, Barnes noted.  

At this time, Barnes emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest her parents were involved in any crime.  

Barnes also raised concerns about how Rupnow was able to obtain the firearm used in the tragic shooting.  

Addressing online speculation that the shooter was transgender, Barnes responded to a question by saying the shooter’s identity was not relevant to the situation.