The motive for Monday’s shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., that left three people — including the shooter — dead was believed to be a “combination of factors,” according to police.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said authorities were investigating what prompted a 15-year-old student, identified as Natalie Rupnow or “Samantha,” to open fire at the private Christian academy.
Barnes did not provide more details on a possible motive but said police were taking a look at the shooter’s online history. “There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred,” he told reporters on Tuesday, adding that people contacted police about the shooter’s “social media activity prior” to Monday’s shooting.
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He asked that anyone with information on the shooter, or anyone “who may have insights into her feelings leading up to” the shooting, to contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers.
Six other people were injured in the shooting. Two students remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Follow live updates on the Madison school shooting below.
- Tue, December 17, 2024 at 8:22 PM GMT
Dylan Stableford
• Three people, including the shooter, were killed and six others were wounded in a mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., on Monday.
• The shooter was identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha and was a student at the school. She died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
• The deceased victims were a teacher and a teenage student, whose names have not been released.
• Police have yet to establish a motive, but Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a “combination of factors” may have led to the shooting.
• Barnes said it is unclear whether the shooter was targeting anyone specifically but added that everyone was put in danger.
• Six people were injured and transported to area hospitals; two remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Barnes said.
• A handgun was recovered from the scene, and police are investigating how the 15-year-old shooter may have obtained the weapon.
• The shooter’s family is cooperating with investigators, Barnes said.
• President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway condemned the shooting while calling on Congress to pass stricter gun laws.