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MADISON, Wis. — A tragic incident unfolded on Monday when a 15-year-old student shot and killed a teacher and a fellow classmate at a Wisconsin school. The student had only recently joined Abundant Life Christian School, suggesting she was beginning to adapt to her new environment. Family members of the victims reflect on their loved ones’ faith and the strong bonds they shared within the Christian community.
The deceased victims included 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara, a student from Madison, and 42-year-old Erin West, a teacher from DeForest. Two additional students who sustained injuries from the shooting remain hospitalized and are listed in critical condition.
Barbara Wiers, the school’s director of elementary and communications, reported that the violent event lasted for just eight minutes, surprisingly less time than is typically allotted for a school snack break. As the community grapples with the aftermath and the uncertainty surrounding the shooter’s motives, Wiers emphasized the importance of faith in helping them endure this challenging time.
“Are we broken right now? Yes. Are we bruised and battered? Yes,” Wiers expressed. “But we will laugh again, and He will turn our mourning into joy again. And we will go on.”
According to law enforcement, Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, the shooter, took her own life at the school and was later pronounced dead at a Madison hospital. Authorities are currently investigating the reasoning behind her actions.
This marked Rupnow’s first semester at ALCS, and while the school had been addressing attendance concerns with her family, Wiers noted that teachers did not have major worries regarding her behavior.
“I pray for this family because right now they’ve lost a daughter and they are wounded,” Wiers said. “And they’re dealing with the fact that their daughter did this terrible thing and hurt these other people. It has to be one of the loneliest, bitterest places to be.”
The funerals for Vergara and West are scheduled for Saturday and Monday, respectively, highlighting the communal grief over their loss. West, a devoted mother of three and an integral part of the school for four years, was remembered for her passions including family camping trips and community involvement at Doxa Church.
The school released a statement acknowledging West’s contributions, stating, “ALCS is a better school for the work of Erin West,” and describing her as someone who served with grace, humor, and the love of Jesus.
Vergara was noted for her love for reading, art, singing, and her role in the family worship band. The school characterized her as gentle and loving, underscoring the impact she had on both her classmates and staff.
Attempts to contact family members of both victims have gone unanswered. Reports indicate that the shooter had brought two firearms to the school and that a man in California had communicated with her about plans involving an attack on a government facility. A restraining order linked to this man had been issued under California’s gun regulations, though inquiries about compliance with the order remain unanswered.
Local police, with support from the FBI, are currently analyzing online records and conversing with the shooter’s parents and classmates to uncover the motive behind the shooting, as police expressed uncertainty about whether anyone was specifically targeted and whether the attack was premeditated.
Although Rupnow had access to two handguns, authorities are unclear on how she obtained them, and they have opted not to disclose the identity of the responsible party amid the ongoing investigation. Decisions regarding potential charges against Rupnow’s parents are still pending as they have been cooperating with investigators.
Abundant Life Christian School, a nondenominational institution serving around 420 students, offers education from prekindergarten through high school. Adam Rostad, a former student whose family has strong ties to the school, relayed how the community is rallying together during this difficult time. He has organized efforts to provide meals and support to those affected by this tragedy.
“Bullets don’t really care what your faith is, or if you have one,” Rostad remarked. “They really don’t.”
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