A shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, killed two individuals and left a suspect dead on Monday morning.
Madison police responded to the mass shooting just before 11 a.m. at the private school at 4901 E. Buckeye Rd. on Madison’s east side. Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes stated that a second-grade student contacted 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report the gunshot. Barnes said the incident occurred inside a classroom and study hall filled with students of various grades.
The shooter has been identified as Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at the school who lived in Madison and went by Samantha. She is suspected to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire in the school.
Police said the two people killed in the incident were a teen pupil and a teacher.
According to Pastor Chris Dolson, who spoke at a vigil for the victims on Monday night, the instructor who died could have been a substitute.
“There is a woman who called in sick today.” She is a teacher. “And a substitute who came in to take her place was shot and killed,” Dolson explained. “Survivor guilt kicks in when those things happen.”
CBS News did not independently verify the teacher’s identity.
Five more pupils and a teacher were injured. Barnes stated that two of the injured pupils were still in serious condition with life-threatening injuries on Monday night.
The surviving teacher and three other pupils were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and two of them have been released, while the other two have been stabilized, Barnes said.
Barnes verified that cops discovered the teen shooting suspect at the scene, who appeared to have shot herself, and that officers fired no rounds. Police said the suspect used a 9 mm pistol, and they were attempting to locate the weapon.
According to Barnes, Rupnow was pronounced dead while being brought to the hospital. Officials reported that all surviving students were reunited with their loved ones within hours of the shooting.
As investigators looked for a motive late Monday, the FBI collaborated with local authorities to examine the scene, conduct interviews, and secure search warrants.
CBS News Chicago has learned that the suspected shooter’s family is cooperating with police. “Right now, my heart is heavy for my community,” Barnes said early Monday. “My heart is heavy for Madison, and we have to come together as a community and figure out what happened here and make sure that it doesn’t happen at any other place that should be a refuge for students in our community.”
Mireille Jean-Charles is a mother to three boys who attend Abundant Life Christian School. She chatted with Meryl Hubbard, a reporter for CBS affiliate WISC-TV in Madison.
“It’s sad to be at home and then get a call saying your children’s school is on lockdown—and you don’t know where they are.” And I’d been there since 11. “I finally got them, and thank God they were safe,” Jean-Charles stated. “But the trauma is severe, because I’m sure they lost friends and a teacher, which is not okay. And I don’t think they’ll be fine for a long time, and neither am I.”
According to WISC, Barbara Weirs, school director of elementary and school relations, stated that the school does not use metal detectors but does adhere to safety regulations. According to Weirs, the school implemented a practice lockdown at the start of the current academic year.
“We’ve joked around about how safe a 400-student-bodied school—Christian private school—is, right?” replied one gentleman. “If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.”
Hours after the incident, numerous cops were spotted removing the door from a Madison home in a search that Chief Barnes said was related to the investigation.
“Our detectives are working hard in the investigative process to find out as many answers as we can so that we can further prevent these things from happening—not only in this community but in other communities around our country,” Barnes told the crowd.
Dave Wagner was the former principal of the institution.
“My heart grieves beyond words with them,” Wagner remarked. “I know the principal.” I know a few of the teachers. The tragedy of today will have a long-term impact on their lives.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued the following statement.
“There are no words to explain the sadness and heartbreak we are feeling today following the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning.
“Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in praying for the families and loved ones of those who were senselessly killed, as well as for the educators, staff, and the entire Abundant Life school community as they deal with the pain, trauma, and loss of this heartbreaking event. We are also praying and hoping that everyone who has been injured survives and recovers.
“Kathy and I are also remembering the first responders who responded fast and ran into danger to save lives. This day will undoubtedly weigh heavily on them, and we appreciate their vital response efforts in answering the call when it was most required.
“As a parent, grandpa, and governor, it seems unfathomable that a child or educator might get up and go to school one morning and never return home. This should never happen, and I will never accept it or give up striving to change it.
“Today my focus is on supporting these families and kids and the Abundant Life community, and the state stands ready to support them and the efforts of local law enforcement through what will undoubtedly be difficult days ahead.”
Gov. Evers will order the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff across the state beginning immediately and ending at sunset on Sunday, December 22.
Abundant Life Christian School is a private, nondenominational religious school that teaches little under 400 students from kindergarten through the twelveth grade.