Natalie Rupnow dies in fatal Madison school shooting

Natalie Rupnow dies in fatal Madison school shooting

Fatal Madison school shooting death of Natalie Rupnow – Obituary

Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, died by apparent suicide after carrying out a devastating shooting at her school on December 16, 2024. She fatally shot one of her classmates and a staff member before taking her own life.

The incident unfolded during a study hall session, where Natalie opened fire using one of two handguns she had brought with her. Authorities later confirmed that both firearms had been legally purchased by her father, Jeffrey Rupnow, who has since been charged with providing a minor with deadly weapons resulting in death and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

Known to some peers as Samantha, Natalie had reportedly struggled emotionally following her parents’ divorce in 2022. According to court documents and police reports, she had a history of self-harm and had once been in therapy to improve her social skills, but she stopped attending sessions in the months leading up to the attack.

Investigators discovered a disturbing “manifesto” titled “War Against Humanity” in Natalie’s possession, as well as a cardboard mock-up of the school, detailed maps, and a timeline outlining the planned assault. Police believe she had been engaged in online conversations about violence and school shootings in the weeks and months prior.

Her father told investigators that Natalie had expressed a desire to die and that he had once locked up all knives in the home for her safety. Despite this, he also said he tried to connect with her by teaching her to shoot. He admitted to providing her with access to the family gun safe and said she had the combination—his Social Security number reversed.

Just ten days before the shooting, Jeffrey Rupnow messaged a friend that he feared Natalie might shoot him if he left the gun safe unlocked. On the day before the shooting, he allowed her to handle one of the firearms for cleaning but couldn’t recall if it had been returned to the safe. That same gun was later used in the attack.

Natalie’s actions left two people dead—Rubi P. Vergara, 14, and Erin M. West, 42—and six others injured. The community continues to grapple with the tragedy and the complex factors behind the deadly event, including mental health, gun access, and parental responsibility.