The Brief
- Abundant Life Christian School leaders marked one year since the Dec. 16, 2024, shooting that ended with three dead, including the shooter, and six others wounded.
- Investigators say the teen shooter used guns purchased by her father, who has since been charged.
- School leaders say healing is ongoing and credit community support and faith for sustaining recovery efforts.
MADISON, Wis. – One year after a deadly school shooting that shook Madison and drew national attention, leaders at Abundant Life Christian School say the community continues to grieve, heal and lean on faith as the recovery process continues.
Fatal shooting
What we know:
A 15-year-old student, Natalie Rupnow, opened fire at the religious school on Dec. 16, 2024, killing teacher Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old student Rubi Vergara. Multiple others were wounded before Rupnow fatally shot herself.
Investigators recovered a 9 mm Glock handgun from the room where Rupnow died, along with a .22-caliber Sig Sauer pistol found in a bag she was carrying. The bag also contained three magazines loaded with .22-caliber ammunition and a 50-round box of 9 mm ammunition, according to investigators.
Prosecutors charged Rupnow’s father, Jeffery Rupnow, alleging in a criminal complaint that he purchased the guns used in the shooting as a way to connect with his daughter, who he told investigators was struggling to cope with her parents’ divorce.
“Reflect and remember”
What they’re saying:…