On Tuesday, December 17, a 15-year-old female student allegedly shot and killed a teacher and a student, while injuring six others at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
The 15-year-old suspect was later identified as Natalie Rupnow who went by the name “Samatha”. Natalie was found in the school by police officers and announced dead. The evidence suggests it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
CNN proceeds to state, “While the victims recover, authorities are examining Rupnow’s background, probing writings allegedly connected to her and tracing the history of the gun she used” (Andone, Dec. 18).
Investigators top priority is to determine the shooters motive. Police Chief Shon Barnes says in the CNN article, “But at this time, it appears that the motive was a combination of factors”. Police are investigating students to determine if bullying played a factor in the shooting. Barnes proceeds to add, “Some have asked if people were specifically targeted. Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger.” (Andone, Dec. 18).
(Published by Jamie Kelter Davis for the New York Times)
Natalie Rupnow used a handgun to carry out the attack. The handgun has history traced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Barnes states to CNN, “We have asked out partners with the ATF to expedite what’s called an ATF trace form to try and determine the origin of that weapon, who purchased it and how it got from a manufacturer all the way to hands of a 15-year old girl. These are questions that are going to take some time to answer” (Andone, Dec. 18).
White it has not yet been found who owns the gun or where it originated from, Rupnow’s father posted a on facebook with a picture of his daughter at a shooting range. CNN reported, “In the photo Rupnow was seen wearing a black shirt with the band KMFDM. The German industrial rock bands lyrics were cited by the students who carried out the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado where 13 people were killed” (Andone, Dec. 18).
The parents of Rupnow are cooperating with police. Rupnow had a turbulent home life according to court records. Rupnow’s parents are divorced and remarried multiple times and she has been enrolled into therapy. Newspaper reports in the CNN article, “ A Washington Post review of court records points to an unsettled childhood for Rupnow, whose parents custody agreements sometimes forced her to move between their homes every two or three days” (Andone, Dec. 18).
(Image released by Andy Manis/Getty Images)
It’s still unclear whether the shooters parents owned the gun that was used in the shooting or even possessed a gun themselves. Police are now taking a further look into seeing if Rupnow’s parents were negligent, but it was stated that at this time it doesn’t appear to be the case.
