During a court appearance in May, Jeffrey Rupnow’s attorney argued that Rupnow didn’t physically “give” his daughter the guns, according to Wisconsin law. Instead, the attorney said, Natalie managed to obtain the combination to her father’s gun safe. That case is proceeding toward trial.
After the shooting, investigators found documents in Natalie’s bedroom that indicated she revered mass shooters. They also found maps and timelines pointing to the attack at ALCS.
In one note, Natalie wrote that she obtained guns through “lies and manipulation, and my fathers [sic] stupidity.” In an alleged manifesto that circulated online after the school shooting, Natalie reportedly called her parents “scum.”
Christian School Principal: God’s Light Shines in Darkness
After the shooting, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes spoke about Natalie Rupnow’s parents. “Despite this tragedy, they still lost a child,” he said. “It is certain that they have probably more questions than anyone because they knew her.”
RELATED: Authorities: Christian School Shooter Had 2 Guns, Might Have Worked With California Man
About the school, Barnes said, “Every child, every person in that building, is a victim and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don’t just go away.”
In a note on the school’s website, principal Jennifer Rae writes, “We have seen God’s light shine in the darkness (John 1:5) and His faithful hand at work as we continue to heal from the tragedy that impacted our school in December 2024.”
Referencing the school’s mascot and motto, Rae added, “Challenger Strong is more than a catchphrase—it is a testimony to God’s strength, grace, and the unity He has built in our Madison community.”
