A 15-year-old shooter killed two and injured six others before taking her own life.
What Happened?
A second-grade child made the emergency call during a deadly school shooting on Monday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Police say the shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, killed a teenage student and a teacher and injured six others. Rupnow was later found dead, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Key Details
The Call: Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes revealed that the 911 call came from a child no older than seven or eight years old. "Let that soak in for a minute," Barnes said.
Victims: Two of the six injured students remain in critical condition. Four others were hospitalized but have since been released.
The Shooter: Rupnow, who also used the name Samantha, was a current student at the school. The attack took place in a study hall with mixed-grade students.
Motive Unknown
The shooter's motive remains unclear. Police are investigating online texts allegedly tied to Rupnow but have not confirmed their authenticity. Authorities have involved the FBI and continue working with Rupnow’s family, who are cooperating.
Eyewitness Accounts
Several students shared their experiences:
Nora Gottschalk, 8, said she saw a wounded teacher screaming for help. "I was really scared, and I was really sad," she told CNN affiliate WISC.
Adler Jean-Charles, a sixth-grader, said he heard two gunshots during English class and waited until police arrived.
Community Response
Bethany Highman, a former student with a daughter at the school, said: “I pray with my kids every morning that this won't happen, and it’s the world we live in.”
The school had conducted mass shooting drills earlier this year, which officials say were still fresh in the students' minds.
Bigger Picture
President Joe Biden called the shooting “shocking and unconscionable,” urging lawmakers to act on gun control legislation.
Statistics: The attack marks the 39th school shooting with deaths or injuries this year, according to EducationWeek. Before Monday, 69 victims, including 16 fatalities, had been recorded in 2024.
Female school shooters remain rare in the U.S.
What’s Next?
The school remains closed during the investigation. Police are asking witnesses to come forward as they work to piece together the events leading up to the attack. This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence in U.S. schools, sparking fresh calls for preventative action.
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