Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old student, opened fire inside Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S., killing a teacher and a teenager, and injuring six others before fatally shooting herself.
The tragic incident unfolded on Monday morning after a second grader’s 911 call alerted authorities, Associated Press reports.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that two of the injured students remain in critical condition, while a teacher and three other students suffered less serious injuries, with two later discharged from the hospital.
“Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. … We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened,” Barnes said.
Rupnow was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and died en route to the hospital.
Barnes withheld additional details about her background, citing respect for her family, who are cooperating with investigators.
“When they heard, ‘Lockdown, lockdown,’ they knew it was real,” said Barbara Wiers, the school’s director of elementary and school relations.
She added that the school lacks metal detectors but employs other security measures, including cameras.
Authorities are investigating the motive, which remains unclear. Barnes emphasised the importance of understanding the reasons behind such events: “I don’t know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening.”
President Joe Biden, responding to the tragedy, urged Congress to pass universal background checks and a national red flag law, saying, “We can never accept senseless violence that traumatises children, their families, and tears entire communities apart.”
Parents were reunited with their children at a nearby health clinic, with some expressing relief amidst the chaos.
“As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute,” said Bethany Highman, whose daughter survived the shooting.
The school shooting adds to a growing list of similar tragedies across the U.S., reigniting debates on gun control.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called the incident “unthinkable,” while Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway remarked, “I hoped that this day would never come to Madison.”
Abundant Life, which serves 420 students, has yet to decide whether classes will resume this week. The community is left grappling with grief and searching for answers as the investigation continues.
