MADISON, Wis. — The deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin, which resulted in three fatalities, including the suspect, and six injuries, was driven by a “combination of factors,” according to Madison Police on Tuesday afternoon.
Chief Shon Barnes refrained from disclosing specific details due to the ongoing investigation but mentioned that investigators were questioning the suspect’s classmates to determine if bullying played a role in the incident.
The incident occurred on Monday morning when 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow opened fire in a classroom at the K-12 school, which has approximately 400 students. Rupnow succumbed to what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound while en route to a local hospital, Barnes reported.
As of Tuesday afternoon, two students remained in critical condition. Three other students and one teacher sustained non-life-threatening injuries, with two victims already discharged from nearby hospitals.
Initially, police reported that a second-grader made the first 911 call about an active shooter. However, in a news conference on Tuesday, Barnes clarified that the call was actually made by a second-grade teacher.
Barnes emphasized that determining the motive behind the incident is the agency’s “top priority.” He urged anyone who knew Rupnow to come forward, particularly if they have information about her state of mind or feelings prior to the shooting. Additionally, Barnes stated that police are working to authenticate writings circulating online, which some believe to be a manifesto written by the suspect.
“We are in the process of verifying the document that is being referred to as a manifesto,” he said, advising the public to refrain from sharing it until it has been confirmed by investigators.