Madison School Shooting: Teenager Kills Student and Teacher in Religious School Attack

The shooter who killed a student and a teacher at a religious school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday had two guns and had been in contact with a man in California, who was allegedly planning an attack on a government building, according to authorities and court documents.

The shooter, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School, killed a fellow student and a teacher before shooting herself. Two other students remain in critical condition. Authorities are still investigating why she did this, but they may never fully understand her motive.

Meanwhile, a California judge issued a restraining order against a 20-year-old man from Carlsbad, California, under the state’s gun red flag law. The order says the man had been messaging the shooter, Natalie Rupnow, about attacking a government building. He reportedly told FBI agents he was planning to use explosives and target a government building, but he didn’t specify which one or when.

The names of the victims were confirmed: the student who died was 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara, a freshman who loved reading, art, and music. The teacher was 42-year-old Erin Michelle West. Rupnow, the shooter, had two handguns, but it’s unclear how she obtained them.

Police are working with the FBI to investigate the motive for the shooting, speaking with her parents and classmates. They’re not sure whether the shooting was planned in advance or if Rupnow specifically targeted anyone. They also haven’t determined if anyone else should be held accountable for the shooting, though her parents have been cooperating.

The investigation has faced some challenges, with the police being criticized for not releasing information quickly. Authorities have emphasized the need for privacy while the investigation continues. Some people, however, believe more information should be shared with the public.

This shooting is part of a disturbing trend of school shootings across the U.S. The rarity of school shootings by teenage girls makes this case especially notable, as most school shootings are committed by young men. Abundant Life Christian School, where the shooting took place, is a private school with about 420 students from pre-kindergarten to high school.

 

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