Investigators continue to search for motives in the Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) in Madison, Wisconsin. Authorities said the alleged suspect, 15-year-old freshman Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing two people and wounding six others.
On Wednesday (Dec 18), Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said, “We may never know what [the suspect] was thinking that day, but we’ll do our best to try to add or give as much information to our public as possible.” He added, “I do not know if she planned it that day or if she planned it a week prior. To me, bringing a gun to school to hurt people is planning.”
RELATED: 3 Dead, 6 Others Wounded in Shooting at Christian School
According to court documents, the suspect was carrying two handguns during the attack at the nondenominational K-12 school but used only one. Ballistics testing is underway. Investigators are also trying to piece together how the suspect obtained the weapons.
Court documents also revealed that the FBI detained a 20-year-old California man who may be connected to Rupnow. Authorities said he’s suspected of “plotting” with the teen to coordinate a mass shooting on a government site.
FBI Probes Possible Link to California Man
A court order stated that Alexander Paffendorf, a 20-year-old resident of Carlsbad, California, had been communicating with Rupnow regarding an attack at a government building, using explosives and guns.
“During an FBI interview,” the order noted, “Paffendorf admitted to the FBI agents that he told Rupnow that he would arm himself with explosives and a gun and that he would target a government building.” The documents don’t mention a specific location or date for the attack.
On Tuesday, a San Diego judge signed an emergency gun violence restraining order. It gave Paffendorf 48 hours to surrender any guns and ammunition because he might pose immediate danger to himself and others.
It’s unclear whether Paffendorf has been charged with any crimes. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 3.
Suspected Shooter Had Turbulent Home Life
Barnes, the Madison police chief, said the teen suspect’s parents have been cooperating, and he’s unsure whether they might face charges related to the shooting. “Despite this tragedy, they still lost a child,” Barnes said. “It is certain that they have probably more questions than anyone because they knew her. They lived with her, and so we wanted to get an account from them of what kind of child she was.”
According to court records, the suspect’s parents married in 2011, when their daughter was 2. Then they divorced in 2014, remarried in 2017, and divorced again in 2021. After they married and split a third time, a court instructed them not to remarry. The parents shared custody of their daughter, who reportedly attended therapy.
