Possible Natalie Rupnow Manifesto Investigated In WI School Shooting

MADISON, WI — The motive behind 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow’s deadly shooting at her Madison, Wisconsin school — which claimed the lives of a teacher and a student and left six others seriously wounded — appears to stem from a “combination of factors,” the police chief said Tuesday.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes stated that bullying at Abundant Life Christian School would be investigated, though there is currently no evidence suggesting it played a role.

Police are also investigating a possible manifesto written by Rupnow, as well as her digital footprint.

"Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time it appears that the motive is a combination of factors," Barnes said. "There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred. We're looking into her online activity."

Police have spoken with the shooter’s father and other family members, who were said to be cooperating. They also searched Rupnow’s home.

According to court documents, the shooter’s parents are divorced and share joint custody, though she primarily lived with her 42-year-old father.

This incident is notable because school shootings committed by females are rare; only about 3 percent of U.S. mass shootings are carried out by women, according to Reuters.

A 911 call reporting an active shooter came in just before 11 a.m. Monday, as first responders were training only 3 miles away. They rushed to the scene, arriving within three minutes of the call.

In addition to the victims, Rupnow was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived and died while being transported to a local hospital. She used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told AP.

Officers did not fire their weapons while clearing the school.

Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, learned over FaceTime that her daughter was OK.

"As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters," Highman said. "There’s nobody around you. You just bolt for the door and try to do everything you can as a parent to be with your kids."

Parents and guardians were guided to the nearby Dean Clinic for student reunification.

In a statement, President Joe Biden addressed the tragedy, urging Congress to pass universal background checks, a national red flag law, and additional gun restrictions.

"We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart," Biden said. The President spoke with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, offering his full support.

Evers said it's "unthinkable" that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home.

In its first statement since the shooting, Abundant Life shared: "Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able. Please pray for our Challenger Family."

Established in 1978 as a community-focused Christian school, Abundant Life provides education from kindergarten through 12th grade. It is nondenominational.

Serving approximately 200 families from over 56 churches across the greater Dane County area, the school fosters a vibrant and diverse faith-based community, according to its website.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.