Three Dead, Six Injured in School Shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin
A mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning left three people dead, including the suspected shooter, and six others injured. The incident unfolded on the city’s east side, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Madison Police Department officers were dispatched at 10:57 a.m. following a 911 call made by a second-grade student. The first deputy from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 11:00 a.m., with Madison Police arriving seconds later. Officers entered the building immediately and located the shooter by 11:05, at which point they confirmed the suspect was down and recovered a firearm.
The shooter was identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha. Authorities believe Rupnow died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead en route to the hospital. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the official cause of death following their investigation.
A teacher and a teenage student were pronounced dead at the scene. Six others sustained injuries in the shooting. Two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. One teacher and three students suffered non-life-threatening injuries, with two already discharged and two others listed in stable condition.
The shooting occurred inside a classroom during a mixed-grade study hall. Detectives are investigating a motive and have searched Rupnow’s home in Madison. Family members have been interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Timeline of Events
- 10:57 a.m.: A 911 call reports the shooting; officers are dispatched.
- 11:00 a.m.: A Dane County deputy arrives on scene.
- 11:01 a.m.: Madison Police officers arrive and enter the school.
- 11:05 a.m.: Officers confirm the shooter is down, and EMS links up with officers to assist victims.
- 11:14 a.m.: Officers begin clearing the building.
- 11:23 a.m.: Bomb dogs search the school.
- 11:26 a.m.: The first patients are transported to area hospitals.
The Madison Fire Department and other emergency medical teams were dispatched simultaneously with police, arriving at 11:05 to assist victims inside the building. A reunification center for parents and guardians was set up shortly after at a nearby location, facilitated with the help of Dean Clinic staff who volunteered their services.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Support
The Madison Police Department confirmed there was only one shooter and no further threat to the public. Several agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and Dane County Sheriff’s Office, assisted in the response and investigation.
Community resources have been mobilized to support victims and families. The Dane County District Attorney’s Crime Response Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety are offering mental health and victim assistance services.
Authorities will continue investigating the events leading to Monday’s shooting. The school remains closed and under police supervision overnight.
