Wisconsin School Shooter Communicated with Individual Claiming He Was Planning a Separate Attack
The individual informed FBI agents that he had been communicating with Natalie Rupnow, as per court documents.
The teenage girl responsible for the school shooting in Wisconsin was in contact with a man from California who, according to law enforcement and court records, expressed to police that he was planning an assault on a government facility.
A California judge issued a restraining order on December 16 under the state’s red flag gun legislation against a 20-year-old man residing in Carlsbad, San Diego County. The order mandates that he surrender his firearms and ammunition to the authorities within 48 hours or sooner if requested by an officer, as he is deemed an immediate threat to himself and others.
The order does not specify which building he intended to target or the timing of his planned attack. It further lacks details about his communications with Rupnow, only noting that he was conspiring to carry out a mass shooting with her.
The FBI did not provide a response to a request for comment.
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Rupnow attended school that Monday morning and discharged shots inside the premises, according to officials. Police were dispatched to the scene just before 11 a.m.
Two individuals lost their lives, and six others were injured, with two sustaining life-threatening wounds.
Rupnow died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Wisconsin police officials stated on Wednesday that Rupnow brought two firearms to the private school and that they were still attempting to ascertain the motives behind the shooting.
“I cannot determine if she planned this that day or perhaps a week ahead,” said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. “However, bringing a firearm to school with the intent to harm others is, in my view, a premeditated act. The level of premeditation remains unclear.”
Barnes informed reporters on Tuesday that “ascertaining a motive is our highest priority, but at this moment it appears that the reason was a mix of various factors.”
He added that investigators would refrain from sharing additional details currently due to concerns that it might compromise the ongoing inquiry, which includes examining a potential manifesto and data on computers from Rupnow’s residence.
While it is known that Rupnow possessed two handguns, Barnes stated he is uncertain how she acquired them and chose not to disclose who had purchased them, referencing the active investigation.
As of now, no decisions have been reached regarding potential charges against Rupnow’s parents in connection to the shooting, although they have been cooperating, according to Barnes.
Online court records indicate that there are no criminal cases against either of Rupnow’s parents, Jeffrey or Mellissa Rupnow. The couple is divorced and shared custody of their daughter, who primarily resided with her father, according to court documents. Records from the divorce show that Natalie was receiving therapy in 2022, but do not elaborate on the reasons.
Jeffrey Rupnow has not responded to requests for comment, while Mellissa Rupnow has not been reachable.
This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.
