(Madison) The 15-year-old who killed a teacher and a classmate Monday was only in her first semester at school but seemed to be settling in, a school official said Thursday , while the victims’ families remembered them as people of faith who had deep ties to the Christian school.
Published yesterday at 11:14 p.m.
Scott Bauer, Giovanna Dell’orto and Todd Richmond
Associated Press
Abundant Life Christian School student, 14, of Madison and teacher Erin West, 42, of DeForest were killed Monday. Two other students who were targeted remained hospitalized Thursday in critical condition.
Barbara Wiers, the elementary school and communications director, told The Associated Press that the attack lasted eight minutes, less than the school’s usual coffee break. She said faith and community bonds have sustained them as they grapple with the possibility that the shooter’s motive remains undetermined.
“Are we broken right now? Yes. Are we bruised and beaten? Yes, she said. But we will laugh again, and God will once again transform our mourning into joy. And we will continue. »
Police say the shooter committed suicide. Police said his motivation for the attack remains a key part of their investigation.
It was his first semester at ALCS, M saidme Wiers. The school was working with her family on attendance, but teachers had no major concerns, she said.
“I’m praying for this family because right now they’ve lost a daughter and they’re hurting,” she said. And they have to face the fact that their daughter did this terrible thing and hurt these other people. This has to be one of the loneliest and bitterest places to be. »
The slain 14-year-old student’s funeral is planned for Saturday at City Church, which is adjacent to the school, and Erin West’s funeral will be Monday at Doxa Church in Madison, where she was a member, according to obituaries published Wednesday and Thursday.
PHOTO NAM Y.HUH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barbara Wiers, the elementary school and communications director, told The Associated Press that the attack lasted eight minutes, less than the school’s usual coffee break.
Mme West worked at the school for four years and is the mother of three daughters, according to her obituary. She enjoyed camping with her family, attending school sporting events, serving at Doxa Church, and spending time with her daughters and the rest of her family.
“ALCS is a better school because of Erin West’s work,” the school said in a statement.
She worked three years as a substitute teacher before accepting a position as an assistant coordinator and substitute teacher at the school, according to the press release.
“She served our teachers and students with grace, humor, wisdom and, most importantly, the love of Jesus,” the school said. Her loss is painful and profound and she will be greatly missed not only by our staff, but by our entire ALCS family.”
The girl killed was a freshman at the school and “an avid reader, she loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band,” according to her obituary.
The school describes her as a gentle and loving person.
“She was a blessing to her class and our school,” the school said. “She was not only a good friend, but also a wonderful big sister. Often seen with a book in hand, she had a gift for art and music. » Attempts to obtain comment from relatives of the victims were unsuccessful.
A mass shooting in the making
The shooter brought two guns to school. A man in California told authorities he sent her messages about an attack on a government building with a gun and explosives, according to a restraining order issued against him Tuesday under California law on the red gun flag.
The order required the 20-year-old Carlsbad man to turn over his guns and ammunition to police within 48 hours, but it was unclear Thursday whether he complied, was charged or if he was in custody.
The order does not specify which building he targeted or when he plans to launch his attack. She also does not detail her interactions with the Wisconsin teen, except to state that the man was planning a mass shooting with her.
A spokesperson for the Carlsbad Police Department said federal authorities are leading the investigation and “we do not believe there is a threat to our city.” Police, with help from the FBI, scoured online records and other resources and spoke with the shooter’s parents and classmates to try to determine the motive, the city’s police chief said Wednesday. Madison, Shon Barnes.
Police don’t know if anyone was targeted or if the attack was planned in advance, the chief said.
Although the teenager had two handguns, Mr. Barnes said he did not know how she obtained them and he declined to say who bought them, citing the ongoing investigation.
No decision has been made on whether the shooter’s parents could be charged, but they have been cooperative, Mr. Barnes said.
Online court records show no criminal cases against his father or mother. They are divorced and share custody of their daughter, but she lived primarily with her father, according to court documents.
Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school of approximately 420 students that offers classes from prekindergarten through high school.
Adam Rostad, who lives near Madison, attended ALCS from kindergarten through high school. His grandfather was a pastor at the church that helped establish the school, and his mother and aunt both worked there.
Mr. Rostad said Thursday that although he graduated about 20 years ago and no longer even considers himself a “member of the church,” ALCS is part of his family.
He has gathered a list of about 440 people willing to cook meals or purchase gift cards for those affected and is coordinating with the school and church to ensure that is the best way to help. ‘help.
“The bullets don’t really care about your faith, or if you have one,” Mr. Rostad said. “They really don’t care. »
