Safety & Security

3 dead, 6 injured in Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting

The suspected shooter, a 15-year-old student, fatally shot a teacher and another student at Abundant Life Christian School; the shooter died by apparent suicide.
Dec. 16, 2024

A teenage student opened fire with a handgun Monday at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenager. The shooter, a 15-year-old girl, also died, police said.

The Associated Press reports that the shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, also wounded six others at Abundant Life Christian School. Two students were in critical condition and four had less serious injuries, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

Barnes said Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha, opened fire during a study hall, killing another student and a teacher, and wounding six others.

Police said Rupnow was dead by apparent suicide when officers arrived.

Abundant Life Christian School is nondenominational and has about 420 students from pre-kindergarten through high school, said Barbara Wiers, the school's director of elementary and school relations.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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