Emergency vehicles are parked outside of the SSM Health clinic where parents are being reunified with children after a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School (Image: AP)
In a shocking incident, police have confirmed the identity of the young shooter behind the fatal attack at a private Christian school in America as Natalie Rupnow. Using the alias Samantha, Rupnow tragically killed a teacher and a fellow teenager, aside from wounding four others, at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Amidst the chaos on Monday, two victims are now battling for their lives; police have not specified whether these individuals are children or adults. The assailant, initially believed to be 17, was in fact only 15-years-old.
Following the arrival of emergency services at the scene, where parents fork out as much as $10,000-a-year for education, Natalie was discovered deceased from what is suspected to be a self-inflicted gunshot injury. On a sombre note, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes declared: “Today is a sad day not only for Madison, for our entire country. We have to do a better job in our community.”
While addressing the media at the tragic scene, he reiterated that a motive for the shooting remains unidentified.
Authorities have yet to release the names of the victims as the investigation is ongoing. Earlier that day, officers had raced to the school with around 400 students after a 911 distress call reported an active shooter at approximately 11am local time (5pm UK time).
Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., following a shooting (Image: AP)
Chief Barnes also mentioned that the young perpetrator had attended classes at the school before the fatal event unfolded.
Barbara Wiers, director of relations at the school, confirmed that the shooting occurred exclusively within a study hall accommodating students from various grades. She pointed out that the educational establishment had recently conducted active shooter training, remarking that the instructions were “very fresh” in the minds of faculty members when tragedy struck on Monday,
According to Ms Wiers, who was teaching during the incident, the school isn’t equipped with a full-time police officer but has enforced security measures whereby all classroom doors lock automatically, and access to the building strictly requires approval via the main entry point. In the wake of the emergency, she praised the students’ exceptional conduct, noting: “They were clearly scared. When they heard ‘lockdown, lockdown’ and nothing else, they knew it was real.”
In terms of the students witnessing the traumatic event, Barnes stated, “We’re going to give them an opportunity to come in and speak to what they may have saw when they feel ready.”
MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 16: Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes speaks to the media about the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on December 16, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. A student and teacher were shot and killed and the alleged shooter, a 17-year-old female who police say was a student at the school, was found dead at the scene, according to published reports. Six others were injured with two in critical condition, the reports said. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
After the distressing ordeal, survivors were transported by bus to a reunification centre, as reported by NBC News. The FBI has reportedly joined local forces at the site of the shooting.
A stern response came from President , who described the shooting in his address as “shocking and unconscionable”. He emphasised that instead of survival tactics, children should be focusing on their education, saying: “Students across our country should be learning how to read and write – not having to learn how to duck and cover,” President Biden also seized the moment to urge Congress for imperative action on bills that could curb further gun violence.