Official Confirms Wisconsin Shooter Was New Student at Christian School Linked to Her Victims

MADISON, Wis.—A 15-year-old from Wisconsin, who tragically shot and killed a teacher and a fellow student on Monday, was only in her first semester at Abundant Life Christian School. A school official noted on Thursday that she appeared to be integrating well into the community, while families of the victims commemorated them as people of faith with strong ties to the Christian school.

The victims included 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara from Madison and 42-year-old teacher Erin West from DeForest. Two other students who were injured in the incident remained in critical condition as of Thursday.

Barbara Wiers, the school’s director for elementary and communications, shared with The Associated Press that the shooting incident lasted for only eight minutes—less time than the school’s regular snack break. She expressed that the strength of the community’s faith and their connections to one another have been crucial as they grapple with the uncertainty surrounding the shooter’s motives.

“Are we broken right now? Yes. Are we bruised and battered? Yes,” she stated. “But we will laugh again, and He will turn our mourning into joy again. And we will go on.”

Authorities reported that student Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow took her own life at the school and later died at a hospital in Madison. Law enforcement has indicated that determining her motivation for the attack is a vital aspect of their ongoing investigation.

This was Rupnow’s initial semester at ALCS, according to Wiers. The school was collaborating with her family to address attendance matters, but no significant concerns had been raised by the teachers, she remarked.

“I pray for this family because right now they’ve lost a daughter, and they are in pain,“ she commented. ”They’re grappling with the fact that their daughter committed this tragic act, harming others. It must be an incredibly lonely and painful situation to endure.”

Funeral arrangements have been made, with Vergara’s service scheduled for Saturday at City Church next to the school, and West’s service planned for Monday at Doxa Church in Madison, where she was a member, as indicated in obituaries published earlier this week.

West had been a teacher at the school for four years and was a mother to three daughters, according to her obituary. She cherished family camping trips, attending school sports events, volunteering at Doxa Church, and spending quality time with her daughters and family.

“ALCS is a better school because of Erin West’s contributions,” the school expressed in a statement.

West spent three years serving as a substitute teacher before assuming a role as the substitute coordinator and in-building substitute teacher, per the statement.

“She supported our students and teachers with grace, humor, wisdom, and—most importantly—with the love of Jesus,” the school affirmed. “Her absence creates a deep and painful void, and she will be sorely missed by our staff and the entire ALCS family.”

Vergara was a freshman with a passion for reading, art, singing, and playing keyboard in her family’s worship band, as noted in her obituary.

The school depicted her as a gentle and loving spirit.

“Rubi was a blessing to her class and our institution,” stated the school. “She was not only a kind friend but also a wonderful big sister. Frequently seen with a book in her hand, she possessed a natural talent for art and music.”

Efforts to get comments from the families of West and Vergara have not been fruitful.

The shooter had brought two firearms to the school. Reports indicate that a man in California told authorities he had been in contact with her about carrying out an attack on a government facility using a firearm and explosives, as suggested by a restraining order issued against him under California’s gun red flag law. This order mandated that the 20-year-old Carlsbad man surrender his firearms and ammunition to police within 48 hours, but it is unclear as of Thursday whether he complied, whether charges would be filed against him, or if he is in custody.

The restraining order did not specify which building was targeted or when the attack was intended to occur. It also did not elaborate on his dealings with Rupnow, except to state that the individual was plotting a mass shooting in conjunction with her.

A representative from the Carlsbad Police Department mentioned that federal authorities are leading the investigation and “we do not believe there is a threat to our city.”

With the help of the FBI, local police were examining online communications and other resources while interviewing the shooter’s parents and classmates to uncover a motive, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes on Wednesday.

Authorities remain uncertain whether anyone was specifically targeted or if the incident had been premeditated, the chief noted.

While Rupnow had two handguns, Barnes stated he was unaware of how she acquired them, and he declined to disclose who purchased them, citing the active investigation.

No decisions have been made regarding potential charges against Rupnow’s parents; however, they are cooperating with police, Barnes confirmed.

Online court records indicate no criminal charges against her father, Jeffrey Rupnow, or her mother, Mellissa Rupnow. The couple, now divorced, shared custody of their daughter, although she primarily resided with her father, per court documents.

Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school catering to approximately 420 students, offering educational programs from prekindergarten through high school.

Adam Rostad, a Madison resident who attended ALCS from kindergarten through high school, shared that his grandfather was the pastor for the church that helped establish the school, with both his mother and aunt having worked there.

Rostad mentioned on Thursday that despite graduating nearly two decades ago and no longer identifying himself as a “church person,” he views ALCS as family.

He has compiled a list of about 440 individuals willing to either cook meals or donate gift cards for those affected, and he is coordinating with the school and church to ensure this support is effectively directed.

“Bullets don’t really care about one’s faith, or lack thereof,“ Rostad remarked. ”They truly don’t.”

By Scott Bauer, Giovanna Dell’orto, and Todd Richmond.