Father of Abundant Life Christian School Shooter Arrested – One America News Network
OAN Staff Abril Elfi
2:59 PM – Wednesday, May 7, 2025
The father of Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, a 15-year-old who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School last December, tragically killing two and injuring several others, has been arrested.
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Records from the Wisconsin Department of Justice indicate that Jeffrey Rupnow was taken into custody at the Dane County Jail on Thursday around 3:45 a.m.
Court documents reveal he faced charges on Wednesday for two counts of willfully selling a dangerous weapon to a minor, resulting in death, and one felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a child.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on Wednesday, leading to his capture the following day.
On December 16, 2024, 15-year-old Rupnow fired her weapon in a classroom during study hall, resulting in the deaths of Rubi Vergara, 14, and Erin West, 42, along with injuries to five other students—two of whom were critically wounded and required hospitalization—before attempting to take her own life.
Documents obtained by the Washington Post showed that Natalie Rupnow was in therapy for “family-related” challenges prior to the tragedy.
A criminal complaint from Dane County states that Jeffrey claimed he was actively overseeing his daughter’s access to firearms.
Contradictory evidence from the Rupnow household and his statements indicated that she had access to various firearms, despite his awareness of her serious mental health issues.
He informed police on the day of the shooting that he owned 12 firearms, securely stored; however, only eight were found during the police investigation.
The police report stated that Jeffrey had taken one of the guns from the safe at his daughter’s request just a day before the shooting, and he later told investigators he “couldn’t remember” if the gun was returned before he locked up.
Additionally, investigators found a manifesto written by the shooter, in which she expressed admiration for past school shooters. They also discovered detailed floor plans for Abundant Life Christian School, alongside a camera containing footage of her handling firearms while discussing acts of violence.
Jeffrey had previously been questioned about his daughter’s suicidal tendencies in 2021, admitting he did not take her warnings seriously. In 2022, Madison police had also addressed concerns regarding her concerning online behavior.
When asked why he allowed his daughter to handle the firearms, he reportedly told investigators, “I didn’t feel like I needed to babysit her with this.”
He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday at 1:30 p.m. local time in Wisconsin.
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