MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison carried out a tragic attack on Monday, killing a teacher and a fellow student while wounding six others before taking her own life.
The shooter, identified as Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, brought two handguns to the school but used only one during the incident, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed on Wednesday.
The student killed was 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara, described in her obituary as an avid reader and artist who loved singing and playing keyboard in her family worship band.
The identity of the deceased teacher has not been disclosed.
Police, assisted by the FBI, are investigating Rupnow’s motives, scouring online records, and interviewing her parents and classmates.
“We may never know what she was thinking that day,” Barnes said, adding that it remains unclear whether the attack was premeditated.
Rupnow’s parents, who are divorced and shared custody of their daughter, have cooperated with authorities.
Barnes said no decisions have been made about potential charges against them, and it is unknown how Rupnow obtained the firearms.
The attack has drawn attention for its rarity, as school shootings carried out by teenage females are exceedingly uncommon in the U.S., experts say.
Researchers suggest that such violence may stem from severe trauma or mental health struggles, though specific details about Rupnow’s circumstances remain unclear.
Tensions over the release of information boiled over during a news conference on Tuesday, with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway defending the decision to withhold details about the victims out of respect for their families.
“Have some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones,” she said.
The incident highlights ongoing debates about public transparency during investigations.
While some experts criticize delays in releasing information, others argue that maintaining the integrity of investigations and protecting victims’ privacy should take precedence.
Abundant Life Christian School, a pre-K-12 institution with approximately 420 students, remains at the center of grief and reflection as investigators work to uncover the reasons behind this heartbreaking tragedy.