A 15-year-old girl, who police identified as Natalie Rupnow, killed a teacher and fellow student after opening fire on a K-12 school.
Police responded to reports of an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School just before 11 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, and entered the building immediately upon arrival.
Highlights
- Natalie Rupnow, aka Samantha, was identified as the shooter who killed a teacher and fellow student.
- Rupnow was born to her father, Jeff Rupnow, and her mother, Mellissa Rupnow.
- Jeff Rupnow is a former store manager at Kelly Williamson Mobil, and her mother works at Zimbrick Fish Hatchery Road.
Rupnow, who went by “Samantha,” was pronounced dead when police arrived at the scene of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said.
Six others have been left injured, including two left two in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. However, the motive for the shooting remains unclear.
The shooter, Natalie, also died of a self-inflicted gunshot after the attack.
A second-grade student dialed 911 to report the shooting. Authorities found a handgun at the scene. Rupnow’s family is cooperating with police, the chief said.
Joe Biden, who was briefed on the school shooting on Monday, said,
“It’s shocking and unconscionable. We need Congress to act. Now… Jill and I are praying for all the victims today, including the teacher and teenage student who were killed and those who sustained injuries.”
Joe Biden
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Tuesday evening as Madison reels from the attack.
All flags over federal installations and facilities statewide were ordered to fly at half-staff on Monday, effective until December 22, in honor of the victims.
Gov. Tony Evers, who issued the order, said it was “unthinabale” that children and teachers might go to school and never come home.
According to CNN affiliate WISC-TV, Madison Metropolitan School District schools will continue classes as scheduled on Tuesday.
Several district schools were put on secure hold on Monday, but the hold has been lifted.
Madison, Wisconsin Shooter Natalie Rupnow’s Father, Jeff Rupnow, Is A Former Store Manager At Kelly Williamson Mobil
Shooter Natalie Rupnow was born in 2009 in Madison, United States, to her father, Jeff Rupnow, and her mother, Mellissa Rupnow.
Jeff Rupnow has been identified as the father of the Abundant Life Christian School shooter Natalie, with many social media users calling for him to face some consequences.
Jeff’s Facebook profile shows he is a graduate of East High School. He has a photo of him taking his daughter shooting, and it has been drawing attention following Natalie shooting up her school.
Natalie’s father uploaded the photo on August 18, 2024. Natalie is seen with her back turned to the camera, aiming a weapon in the process of firing or having already fired.
In the comment section, one of the users asked: “Is that kiddo?” Jeff answered,
“Sure is!!!! We joined NBSC this spring and we have been loving all every second of it!”
Jeff Rupnow
Jeff’s Facebook bio also shows he is a former store manager at Kelly Williamson Mobil, a job he held from 2001 to 2007.
Moreover, Jeff uploaded a photo of Natalie during her birth on November 8, 2009. In the comment section, Jeff’s friends congratulated him, saying,
Awe!! She is just beautiful! So excited & thrilled for you two! Congrats!!
Heather Tuttle Roll
Another one wrote,
This picture is my favorite! She’s beautiful, Jeff!
Rachel Scott
On November 2, 2022, Jeff uploaded Natalie’s photo enjoying the time with pet dog Whiskey. He captioned,
Whiskey doesn’t want the leafs to go, but he sure is camera friendly!
Jeff Rupnow
Jeff visited Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI, along with his wife, Mellissa Rupnow.
Some social media users called for Jeff Rupnow to be charged following his daughter’s activities at the school, as the pictures show he took her to shoot. One user said,
“Jeff Rupnow giving his kid shooting lessons. Will he be charged like those other parents?”
Lala Cash
Another user wrote,
“15 year old Natalie rupnow aka Samantha rupnow was the shooter at abundance life Christian school. Father Jeff Rupnow trained his daughter in gun handling . She in turn killed a student and teacher before killing herself today in Madison Wisconsin,”
Shotime
According to some social media posts, Natalie’s mother is Mellissa Rupnow, and her grandmother is Sandy Lynn, who lives in Randolph, Wisconsin.
Mellissa Rupnow is also active on Facebook and has been working at Zimbrick Fish Hatchery Road, an Automotive Repair shop that offers a one-stop shop for your Honda, Buick, GMC, Infiniti, Hyundai, and Genesis needs.
Additional Information
- SWAT teams raided Rupnow’s family’s home on Monday night, busting through the front door and conducting a thorough search inside.
- Natalie Rupnow’s house is about eight miles from the K-12 school.
- Police chief Barnes addressed speculation online that the shooter Natalie was transgender in response to a question, but he stressed how the shooter’s identity was not necessary.
