MADISON, Wis. — In a tragic incident at a religious school in Madison, two handguns were discovered with the shooter, but only one was utilized during the attack that resulted in the death of a student and a teacher, along with injuries to six others. The details were shared by the city’s police chief in a recent interview.
The investigation is ongoing to uncover the motives behind the attack carried out on Monday by a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes indicated that the student fatally shot a fellow student and a teacher before turning the gun on herself. As of Wednesday, two other students injured in the shooting were reported to be in critical condition. “We may never understand her thought process that day, but we’ll strive to provide as much relevant information to the public as we can,” Chief Barnes remarked.
The deceased student was identified in an obituary as Rubi Patricia Vergara, aged 14, who was described as a freshman passionate about reading, art, and music, particularly known for her talent in playing the keyboard during family worship sessions. Details regarding the teacher who lost their life in the shooting have yet to be disclosed. The attacker has been named Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, with Barnes stating that the medical examiner would release the names of the deceased, although the anonymity of the injured would be maintained due to state laws protecting crime victims’ identities.
Authorities, alongside the FBI, are investigating multiple avenues, including online records, and are in communication with the shooter’s parents and peers, hoping to determine a possible motive for her actions. The police have not yet established if there were any specific targets in the shooting or if there was any prior planning involved. “I cannot ascertain if she planned this on that particular day or had been planning it for a longer period,” Barnes stated. “To me, carrying a firearm to school with the intent to harm indicates some level of planning.”
While it was noted that Rupnow possessed two handguns, there remains uncertainty surrounding the acquisition of the weapons, with Barnes choosing to refrain from disclosing further details concerning ownership while the investigation continues. No decisions have yet been made regarding potential charges against Rupnow’s parents, although they have been cooperative with investigators. Court records reveal that Natalie primarily lived with her father, Jeffrey Rupnow, with whom she shared custody following her parents’ divorce. There had been indications in previous court filings that she underwent therapy in 2022, but the nature of her treatment has not been revealed.
Tension has arisen over the lack of information shared by law enforcement, which was evident during a recent press conference where Barnes departed without addressing the media. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway expressed frustration when faced with inquiries to which she could not provide answers, emphasizing that the privacy of the affected individuals must be respected. “This is not your business; please have some compassion for those grieving and healing from this tragedy,” she urged.
On defending the handling of information relating to the incident, Chief Barnes stated that the police department is transitioning from a crisis response phase to an investigative one, which may result in less frequent updates. He noted, “Our goal has been to be as transparent as possible during the crisis. Now we are in an investigative period, which may limit the information shared.”
Tamrin Olden, a former police department spokesperson and current communication trainer for law enforcement, emphasized the importance of timely updates following critical events, to uphold public trust and avoid misconceptions. She pointed out that misinformation can detract from the focus on victims and instead tarnish the reputation of responding agencies.
Paul Bucher, a former district attorney involved in notable cases, remarked that the media often expect rapid disclosure of information from officials during high-profile situations, which is not always feasible or necessary
