December 17, 2024, Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting news | CNN

December 17, 2024, Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting news

Antoinette Radford

Elise Hammond

Tori B. Powell

Michelle Watson

By Antoinette Radford, Elise Hammond, Aditi Sangal, Tori B. Powell and Michelle Watson, CNN

Updated 11:54 PM EST, Tue December 17, 2024

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Second grader recounts what she heard during school shooting

0:45 • Source: CNN

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Second grader recounts what she heard during school shooting

0:45

What we covered here

• The motive of the teen shooter at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, appears to be a “combination of factors,” Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday. The 15-year-old, a student at the school, died by suicide and investigators are looking into her online activity, Barnes said.

• A teacher and a student were killed in the attack Monday morning at the private Christian school. Six people were injured, including two who have life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

• Abundant Life Christian School is a K-12 school that serves about 420 students, according to an administrator. It planned to close for Christmas vacation after this week.

43 Posts

Our live coverage of the Abundant Life Christian School shooting investigation has ended for the day. Follow the latest updates or read through the posts below.

Parent at Abundant Life says he will "never forget" the look on children's faces after shooting

From CNN's Jessie Yeung

Angel Brube, a seventh grade student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, and his father speak with CNN on December 17.

Angel Brube, a seventh grade student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, and his father speak with CNN on December 17.

CNN

Seventh grade student Angel Brube described being in class when the shooting took place at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.

“It was very unexpected, and it was also very scary,” he told CNN on Tuesday night. “It’s really something you wouldn’t expect in a small city in Madison, especially not in a Christian school.”

The shooting killed one student and one teacher, whose identities have not yet been publicly released. But Angel said he knew the teacher well, and had been in her class many times.

Angel’s father, identified only as Mr. Brube who also spoke to CNN Tuesday, said he had been at work about a quarter mile from the school when he heard the news. He immediately drove over, hearing police cars blaring past on the way.

Court records show Natalie Rupnow had “a turbulent home life," Washington Post reports

From CNN staff

Natalie Rupnow, who police identified as the 15-year-old female school shooter in Madison, Wisconsin, had “a turbulent home life, according to court records, which show that her parents divorced and remarried multiple times and that she had been enrolled in therapy,” The Washington Post reports.

Rupnow’s parents — Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow — have not responded to repeated requests for comment by the Washington Post or CNN.

A candlelight vigil is held in Madison to remember those killed in the school shooting

From CNN's Michelle Watson, Amanda Jackson and Tessa Carletta

Supporters hold candles during a candlelight vigil Tuesday, December 17, outside the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

Supporters hold candles during a candlelight vigil Tuesday, December 17, outside the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

Morry Gash/AP

A candlelight vigil was held tonight in Madison, Wisconsin, to remember those who were killed and wounded in Monday’s shooting at a local private school that left a teacher and a student dead.

Among the speakers was Joe Gothard, the Madison Metropolitan School District superintendent.

A Christmas tree decorated for the holiday season was twinkling with lights as mourners holding candles stood around to grieve for those who were shot a day earlier. Kids could be seen hugging therapy dogs.

Wisconsin school shooter joined local shooting range with father months before the shooting

From CNN's Sarah Dewberry, Jillian Sykes, Caroll Alvarado and Taylor Galgano

The father of the 15-year-old Madison, Wisconsin, school shooter posted a photo to Facebook of his daughter, Natalie Rupnow, at a shooting range in August.

The father of the 15-year-old Madison, Wisconsin, school shooter posted a photo to Facebook of his daughter, Natalie Rupnow, at a shooting range in August.

From Jeff Rupnow/ Facebook

The father of the 15-year-old Madison, Wisconsin, school shooter posted a Facebook photo of his daughter at a shooting range in August.

Jeff Rupnow’s cover photo shows Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha, shooting a skeet.

Natalie can be seen wearing a black shirt with the name of the band KMFDM. The German industrial rock band’s lyrics have also been cited by the students who carried out the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, where 13 victims were killed, CNN has reported.

KMFDM issued a statement condemning the 1999 attack and expressed sympathy for the victims, adding that their music was intended to stand against violence, according to Reuters.

North Bristol Sportsman’s Club (NBSC) is a shooting range in Dane County. CNN has reached out to them for comment.

On Monday, Natalie was named by law enforcement officials as the shooter who killed two people at the Abundant Life Christian School.

"We were all shocked as I think anyone would be," Abundant Life Christian School teacher says

From CNN’s Whitney Wild and Bill Kirkos in Madison

A makeshift memorial sits in front of Abundant Life Christian School as police continue to investigate Monday's shooting on Tuesday, December 17, in Madison, Wisconsin.

A makeshift memorial sits in front of Abundant Life Christian School as police continue to investigate Monday's shooting on Tuesday, December 17, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Abundant Life Christian School teacher Laura Lundgren told CNN her school community was shocked and troubled by Monday’s shooting that left two people dead and several others injured.

When Lundgren was asked about the injured students, she said she knows “their moms are prayer warriors and they are praying hard for their kids.”

Police are looking for the motive in the deadly Wisconsin school shooting. Here's what we learned today

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Police stand guard outside the home of 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow on Tuesday, December 17, in Madison, Wisconsin. Rupnow is reported to have been the student who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday, December 16.

Police stand guard outside the home of 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow on Tuesday, December 17, in Madison, Wisconsin. Rupnow is reported to have been the student who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday, December 16.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Police are searching to uncover the motive in the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, that left at least two people dead on Monday.

Investigators are looking into online posts and possible documents related to the 15-year-old shooter who was identified as Natalie Rupnow. The student opened fire with a handgun inside the school, before killing herself, authorities say.

Here’s what we learned today:

Victims: Police have still not released information about the victims of the shooting. Police Chief Shon Barnes said he wants to make sure all family members have been notified before he gives the ages and names of those killed. Barnes said one of the people killed was a full-time staff member. Police said previously the other victim was a student. Six people were injured in the attack, police said Monday. Two who were taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison were released, hospital spokesperson Lisa Adams said.
Weapon: The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working with the Madison Police Department to help find out how the shooter acquired a handgun. That trace will also help answer other questions like “the origin of that weapon, who purchased it and how it got from a manufacturer all the way to the hands of a 15-year-old girl,” Barnes said.
Family of shooter: The mayor of Madison said it is too early to comment on if the parents of the shooter will face criminal charges. Barnes said previously investigators are looking at “if the parents may have been negligent” but said that “does not appear to be the case.” He also said the parents are cooperating and as of Monday night, investigators “have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time.”
Who called 911: Barnes said that a 911 call received about the school shooting came from a second grade teacher — not a student as he reported on Monday.
Motive: It is a “top priority” of police to identify the motive in the shooting, Barnes said on Tuesday. He said it appears to be a “combination of factors,” but would not give more details. He said investigators are looking through the online presence of the shooter to try to learn new information.
Documents: Authorities are aware of writings that have been posted by someone who claimed to be a friend of the shooter, Barnes said. The police chief asked people not to share the documents online because they “cannot verify its authenticity,” adding detectives are working on figuring out where it came from.
Later tonight: A candlelight vigil will be held at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on Tuesday at 6 p.m. local time (7 p.m. ET), according to a post on the Facebook page of the president of the Dane County Boys and Girls Club. Members of the community have begun setting up a memorial outside Abundant Life Christian School.
Reactions: Nicole Hockley, the co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, whose child was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, said in a statement that “we must work together to protect our families and communities from gun violence.” Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan and Vice President Kamala Harris both demanded more action from Congress and American society.

Third grade teacher holding scissors stood between door and students huddling in corner of classroom near shooting

From CNN's Steve Almasy

Monday’s shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, took place close to a classroom where one of Kellen Lewis’ four children, a third grader, was attending class.

A bullet punctured a pipe in the room and water spurted onto his child’s shoes. They could hear people running in the hallway, screaming about an active shooter. His son and other classmates huddled in a corner after a lockdown announcement.

Lewis said his four children range in age from 4 to 12 and the older ones understand what happened. They are doing OK, he said, and are not afraid to go back to Abundant Life Christian School.

When he talked with each child, he highlighted all the things that went right, he told “The Lead.”

“The school had prepared them for this sort of a situation. They worked that plan. They did the right thing,” he said. “And to reinforce that sense of agency with the kids so that when they remember this, they’re going to remember that they made the right choices. And fortunately for them, it worked out.”

It's rare for a school shooter to be female, CNN analysis shows

From CNN’s Dakin Andone and Alex Leed Matthews

It’s relatively rare for a school shooter to be a female: CNN has documented 83 school shootings in 2024, and of the 59 where the gender identity of the suspected shooter was available, only two were female. The others involved either lone male suspects or a group of male suspects.

Other sets of data, like the FBI’s annual active shooter reports, similarly indicate it is rare for a shooter to be a female –– though the methodology behind the FBI’s definition of an “active-shooter incident” is notably different from how CNN determines what constitutes a school shooting.

“Our laws in Wisconsin are far too lax when it comes to access of guns by children,” county executive says

From CNN's Michelle Watson

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said the laws on gun access by children in Wisconsin are not sufficient.

Not enough information to determine if parents of shooter will be charged, mayor says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

The mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, said it is “far too early” to comment on if the parents of the teen shooter at Abundant Life Christian School will face criminal charges.

“We don’t know nearly enough yet,” Satya Rhodes-Conway said, answering a question from a reporter on Tuesday.

She added that she thinks law enforcement will “take the steps necessary” as the investigation unfolds.

What the law says: Both federal and Wisconsin law generally make it illegal for someone younger than 18 to possess a firearm. State law similarly makes it illegal for any person to intentionally sell, loan or give a dangerous weapon to someone younger than 18.

In recent years, the parents of teenage school shooters in Oxford, Michigan, and Winder, Georgia, have faced charges for allegedly recklessly giving their child access to a firearm despite concerns about their mental health.

What police have said: Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said previously investigators are looking at “if the parents may have been negligent” but said that “does not appear to be the case.” He also said the parents are cooperating and as of Monday night, investigators “have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time.”

This post has been updated with additional information and CNN’s Eric Levenson contributed reporting.

"We cannot accept" the legacy of gun violence, Dane County executive says as she urges people to demand change

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, December 17, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, December 17, in Madison, Wisconsin.

WKOW

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard urged people to set aside complacency and demand change to combat gun violence.

“Gun violence is the No. 1 killer of children in this country. That’s a legacy we cannot accept,” she said during a news briefing on Tuesday.

“Part of the reason I feel so pained by this tragedy is that mass shootings feel like something that’s ominous and hovering, and we’re all wondering where and when the next one is going to occur. And guess what, it happened here,” she added.

For kids and teachers to go to school after Monday's fatal shooting was "an act of bravery," official says

From CNN's Tori B. Powell

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard commended students and school staff nationwide for going to school a day after a school shooting in Wisconsin on Monday.

She went on to add that these every day acts like dropping a child off at school shouldn’t require bravery, but should instead be “routine and joyful” especially ahead of the holidays.

“Right now it’s OK to not feel OK,” she said.

Several Madison Metropolitan School District schools were swatted Tuesday, police chief says

From CNN's Michelle Watson

Several Madison Metropolitan School District schools were swatted Tuesday, Madison Police Chief, Shon Barnes said during a news conference, a day after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School left two dead.

Madison mayor says first responders were prepared for shooting response

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Police walk outside the Abundant Life Christian School following a shooting on Monday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Police walk outside the Abundant Life Christian School following a shooting on Monday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Morry Gash/AP

The mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, thanked first responders and other officials who responded to the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday.

Satya Rhodes-Conway called the shooting, which killed at least two people, a “terrible and traumatic event.” Still, she said if “there’s any positive in it,” administrators and staff at the school, police and first responders were all prepared to handle the situation.

Those people “acted without hesitation to protect our children and I’m grateful and humbled by their actions,” the mayor said.

“We will never be the same but we will get through this together,” Rhodes-Conway said, asking for people to respect the privacy of victims and their families.

"Everyone was targeted in this incident," police chief says

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday that everyone was a target in the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

Police chief says investigators are aware of a document circulating online about the shooting

From CNN's Michelle Watson

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes speaks during a press conference on Tuesday.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes speaks during a press conference on Tuesday.

CNN

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the department is aware of a document related to Monday’s shooting that’s been making rounds on social media.

Officials are investigating shooter's online activity

From CNN's Tori B. Powell

Officials are looking into the shooter’s online activity as part of their investigation, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

“We’re asking anyone who knew her or who may have insights into her feelings leading up to yesterday to please contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers,” he said Tuesday at a news conference.

He said officials will “not be releasing specifics about these social media accounts at this time.”

Barnes added that figuring out the shooter’s motive “is our top priority.”

“But at this time, it appears that the motive was a combination of factors,” he said.

Shooting motive appears to be a "combination of factors," police chief says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Police are now focusing on identifying the motive in the fatal shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said figuring out the motive of the shooter is a top priority for investigators.

He said at a news conference Tuesday that is appears to be a “combination of factors,” and declined to give more details.

Barnes also encouraged anyone who knew the shooter or may have had any idea of what the shooter was going through at the time to call authorities.

Madison police chief clarifies that 911 call came from a second grade teacher and not from a student

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday that a 911 call received about the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School came from a second grade teacher — not a student as he reported on Monday.