Madison school shooting, police chief issues correction

MILWAUKEE - A school shooting in Madison left three people dead, including the suspected shooter, and six others wounded on Monday morning. The shooting happened at Abundant Life Christian School, roughly six miles west of the Capitol. 

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes on Tuesday, Dec. 17 said a second-grade teacher called in the shooting just before 11 a.m. CST – correcting his previous report that a second-grade student made the call.  

Barnes said the officers who responded on Tuesday did not fire their weapons. A handgun was recovered from the scene, but the motivation behind the shooting is not known at this time.

"The past 24 hours have been a flurry of emotion, sadness, anger, disappointment. Grief for the Madison community were brought together by a tragedy," said Chief Barnes. "And today, three families woke up this morning to a world without a loved one that can never be outdone."

Chief Barnes indicated there always signs of a school shooting before it occurs. His investigators are now going through the shooter's social media accounts – hoping to find something that stands out. 

"This is a hurting and haunting situation, and the many survivors will need our continued support, and we pledged to give them that in the days, months and even years ahead," Barnes said. "As a community, we must not allow violence or any act of violence to define us. We refuse to allow hate or destruction to win in this city, but rather we will honor our survivors are victims through love, support and the Madison Way."

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

Madison police indicated they are aware of a reported "manifesto" circulating on social media. Detectives have not verified its authenticity.

The chief reiterated that anyone who may have known the shooter or knew what she was feeling or going through at that time, you are invited to direct those inquiries to Madison area Crimestoppers. That number is 608-266-6014.

Community support for victims, families

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway talked specifically about the impact of this incident on the community – the school community and the Greater Madison area. 

"It's been an incredibly difficult 24 plus hours at this point in time. We're all human, including each and every one of you in the media who is covering this really tragic event. Please remember that you're human and take care of yourselves. We all need to do that. Drink water. Take a moment," Rhodes-Conway said. "We will never be the same. But we will get through this together."

"These everyday actions that we have all experienced over the last 24 plus hours should not require bravery," said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. "They should be routine and joyful, especially at the end of a year wrapping up a semester. Our kids should be laughing and learning and thinking about pajama day as they're heading into the holiday season. But right now, that's not the case. And right now, it's okay to not feel okay. That's how we move forward."

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android

"We are doing everything in our power at all levels in a collaborative way to prevent this type of pain from ever happening again in our community. Can I assure that? No. But we are going to work as best as we can to that end," Agard said.

How you can help

If you wish to support the families, the request is that that come in the form of financial support through a site set up by the United Way of Dane County. You can visit UnitedWayDaneCounty.org or you can text Help4ALCS to 40403.

Who is the suspected shooter?

Barnes identified the suspected shooter on Monday as Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name "Samantha" – a 15-year-old student at the school.

Rupnow appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The medical examiner's office will release an official cause of death.

At this time, police are working to determine Rupnow’s motive. Officers searched her home and spoke with her family. On Tuesday, Barnes said a "combination of factors" appear to have played a role in the shooting but would not specify what those factors were – citing the ongoing investigation.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Follow the latest from FOX6 News on the Madison school shooting

Barnes also said police have not verified a document circulating on social media, believed to be connected to the shooting suspect. He said it is unclear who initially shared it and asked the public not to spread it.

Again, police are also looking into Rupnow's online activity. Anyone with insight is asked to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers online, by calling 608-266-6014 or via the P3 app.

Who are the victims? 

Not including Rupnow, police said one teen student and one teacher are dead. Another six people were wounded. Two of those six were taken to a hospital in critical condition, while another two were released from the hospital on Monday.

The victims have not yet been identified. 

It was originally reported that three people were killed in the shooting, but during a news conference on Monday, police erroneously said five people were deceased. A correction was sent via their Facebook page following that news conference, once again confirming three people were killed. 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County will host a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Tuesday. FOX6 News plans to stream that event.