MADISON, Wis. — A tragic school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday left three people dead, including the 15-year-old shooter, and several others injured. Police are still piecing together the details of this heartbreaking incident, which took place at Abundant Life Christian School.
The shooter, Natalie Rupnow—who also went by Samantha—used a handgun to kill one teacher and one student before turning the gun on herself. Police confirmed that Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before officers arrived on the scene. No police weapons were fired during the response.
At a press briefing, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes described the scene as being limited to “a classroom in a study hall filled with students from different grades.” While authorities have not yet found a motive or determined if the victims were specifically targeted, the investigation is ongoing.
Two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while one teacher and two other students were treated for less serious injuries.
The call for help came from someone incredibly young—a second-grader dialed 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report the shooting. Chief Barnes paused to emphasize how heavy this moment was, saying, “Let that sink in for a minute. A second-grade student made that call.”
While there has been speculation online about Rupnow’s background and identity, Barnes said those details are not relevant to the investigation. “I don’t think whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may have wanted to identify,” he explained.
The shooter’s father, who spoke with police shortly after the incident, is cooperating fully. “We are trying to figure out what he knew or didn’t know,” Barnes said, acknowledging that he, too, lost a loved one in this tragedy. Police also confirmed that the shooter’s parents are not suspected of any wrongdoing.
President Joe Biden called the incident “shocking and unconscionable” in a statement on Monday evening. He urged Congress to take action on what he called “commonsense” gun safety laws, such as universal background checks, a national red flag law, and bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
“It is unacceptable that we cannot protect our children from this plague of gun violence,” Biden said. He offered his prayers to the families and community members affected and pointed to the need for more action, despite steps already taken—like creating the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also shared his heartbreak. “There are no words to describe the devastation we feel,” he said. “It is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up, go to school, and never come home.”
Evers vowed to keep working for change, saying this tragedy should never become something society accepts as normal.
As the community of Madison grapples with this loss, thoughts and prayers pour in for the victims, their families, and everyone touched by this tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children learn and grow—not places where such unthinkable violence happens.
