Authorities identified a teacher and a student who were slain in a shooting at a Madison, Wisconsin, school earlier this week.
According to a news release sent to CBS News by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office, Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were tragically shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the two died from “homicidal firearm-related trauma.” Both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner.
According to an online obituary on a local funeral website, Vergara was a freshman who left behind her parents, one sibling, and a huge extended family. She was characterized as “an avid reader” who “loved art, singing, and playing keyboard in the family worship band.”
Deadly Collision Near CMU Campus Leaves Two Drivers Dead and One in Critical Condition
Vergara attended Abundant Life since kindergarten, according to a statement released late Wednesday night.
“Her gentle, loving, and kind heart was reflected in her smile,” the statement said. “Rubi was a blessing to both her class and our school. She was not only a nice friend, but also a wonderful big sister.
According to the school, West worked as a substitute teacher at Abundant Life for three years before taking on the role of “sub coordinator and in-building substitute teacher.”
“Her loss is a painful and deep one and she will be greatly missed not just among our staff, but our entire ALCS family,” a statement read.
Meanwhile, the medical examiner reported that a preliminary autopsy revealed that the suspected shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, a student at the same school, was pronounced dead at a local hospital Monday of “firearm-related trauma.” Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes earlier informed reporters that Rupnow was pronounced dead while being brought to the hospital.
Police had previously claimed that she was thought to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident occurred at a private Christian K-12 school shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday. In addition to the two victims killed and the shooter, six others were wounded.
According to police, the incident occurred in a classroom during a study hall with pupils from all grades.
According to a Madison municipal website offering information about the shooting, authorities discovered two guns at the school, but only one was used. A law enforcement source previously informed CBS News that the weapon used appears to have been a 9-millimeter pistol.