On 16th December, at least three people died, including the shooter, and six others were injured in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Fifteen-year-old Natalie Rupnow, alias Samantha, has been identified as the shooter in the case. The Madison police were informed about the incident at around 10:57 AM.
BREAKING: Multiple people have reportedly been injured in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Our hearts go out to the entire Madison community as we continue to monitor the situation.
— GIFFORDS (@GIFFORDS_org) December 16, 2024
School shootings should NOT be common. And they wouldn’t be if… pic.twitter.com/IOCsgkrwRD
What happened?
At 10:57 AM, Madison police personnel were dispatched to Abundant Life Christian School following a 911 call about an active shooter at the school. The school that came under attack is a private, nondenominational institution located in the East Buckeye neighbourhood of Madison.
The shooter has been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, alias Samantha. She reportedly opened fire inside the school, killing a teenager and a teacher. When the police arrived at the scene, they found the shooter dead. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes indicated in a statement that the shooter most likely died by suicide. Police did not fire their weapons at the crime scene.
Barnes said in his statement that a handgun (9mm pistol) was recovered from the shooter’s possession. The motive behind the shooting is unclear. The investigation into the matter has been initiated. Reportedly, the family of the shooter has been cooperative with investigators as they searched the family home and questioned them about the incident.
Barnes said, “Many of you have asked me about the why of this. I do not know, but I will tell you this: our detectives are working hard to find answers so that we can further prevent these things from happening.”
The victims and injuries
According to Madison Police and media reports, three people, including a teenager and a teacher died in the shooting. Their identities have not been released to the media. Furthermore, six others were reportedly injured. Two of the injured students were critically wounded and are battling for their lives at the hospital. Three students and a teacher sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were sent to nearby hospitals for treatment. Reports suggest that four of the injured students and the teacher have been discharged.
Barnes added to his statement that the injuries sustained by the victims are both physical and emotional. He said, “We know that this was the middle of a school day, so there will be other injuries we have to face for a long time.”
Madison police has asked everyone to avoid the area.
Students’ response and security protocols
Speaking to the media, Director of Elementary and School Relations, Barbara Wiers, praised the school’s preparedness for such events. Reports suggest that the students of the school were well-versed in active shooter drills. The training for such drills is provided by the Madison Police Department at the start of the school year.
She said, “When they heard ‘lockdown, lockdown,’ they knew it was real.” Wiers added that the students and teachers acted promptly following the announcement. Notably, the school does not have any metal detectors installed. However, the security at the school premises was recently enhanced using grants provided by the state. CCTV cameras and visual scanners at the entry points are in place at the school to detect any unusual items.
Parents reunite with children
Following the incident, the parents were asked to reach SSM Health Clinic located on Stoughton Road, where a reunification centre was established. The students were shifted to the clinic so that they could reunite with their families. However, it took several hours to complete the process as the parents waited anxiously at the clinic.
Speaking to the media, one of the parents, Mireille Jean-Charles, said, “I don’t know what to say because we always send prayers, we always send thoughts… When are we going to stop doing that? Where are they going to be safe?” Her three children study at Abundant Life School.
Another parent, Bethany Highman, stated no family is prepared for such incidents. She said, “I am just going to gather with community, family, with my daughter.”
What’s next?
As the investigation into the matter is underway, the school will remain an active crime scene. The school has announced that classes will remain cancelled until further notice. Madison Metropolitan School District has, however, confirmed that other schools will resume normal schedules.
Following the shooting, the school issued a statement stating, “Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able. Please pray for our Challenger Family.”
In a follow-up post on Facebook, the school said, “All of our students have been united with their parents, and we are grateful for all the support. We have been flooded with thoughts & prayers. This great nation is behind us. So grateful for the tsunami of prayers for our students, staff, & families.”
Officials react to the tragedy
President Joe Biden issued a statement on the shooting and condemned the incident, calling it shocking and unconscionable. He called for gun reforms and said, “Congress must pass commonsense gun safety laws: universal background checks. A national red flag law. A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. We can never accept senseless violence that traumatises children, their families, and tears entire communities apart.”
Today, families in Madison, Wisconsin are grieving the loss of those who were killed and wounded at Abundant Life Christian School.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 16, 2024
It’s shocking and unconscionable.
We need Congress to act. Now.
In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris said, “Today, senseless gun violence has once again visited our classrooms as students and teachers in Madison, WI had their last week of school before Christmas break tragically interrupted by a deadly shooting. Doug and I are mourning the student and teacher who were killed, and we are praying for all those who were injured, including those who remain hospitalised.”
Today, senseless gun violence has once again visited our classrooms.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 17, 2024
Doug and I are mourning the student and teacher who were killed in Madison, Wisconsin, and we are praying for all those who were injured.
We must resolve to do everything in our power to end this epidemic. pic.twitter.com/KyqfR6E1mG
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called the event “devastating,” saying, “It is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home. This should never happen.” He added, “As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.”
My full statement on the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School today in Madison.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) December 16, 2024
I'm directing flags across the state to be immediately lowered to half-staff as we honor those whose lives were senselessly taken in this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/HYIjVYcqaF
School shootings in the US this year
In Wisconsin alone, four school shootings took place before the recent incident in 2024. Eighty-three school shootings have been reported this year, including fifty-six at K-12 schools. Thirty-eight deaths have been reported in these incidents.
