MILWAUKEE — The teenage shooter responsible for the deaths of a student and a teacher at a Christian school in Wisconsin on Monday carried two handguns during the assault, as detailed by Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Fifteen-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, who was in her freshman year at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, opened fire during a study hall session, resulting in two fatalities and six injuries. Chief Barnes reported that Rupnow is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and confirmed that police did not discharge their firearms during the incident.

Barnes stated that there are still numerous unanswered questions regarding Rupnow’s motives as investigators look into her cell phone records and the means by which she acquired the guns.

“We currently believe, based on preliminary findings, that one of the handguns was the primary weapon used in this horrific act, while the other did not discharge,” Barnes stated, emphasizing that ballistics analyses will clarify how many firearms were actually utilized.

Authorities are exploring the sources of the firearms and believe they can trace them; however, Barnes expressed caution in divulging too much information to avoid compromising any potential legal proceedings. It remains too soon to determine if any charges will be brought related to the shooting.

A significant part of the investigation is focused on understanding how she obtained the weapons and identifying her sources. Barnes has requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to aid in tracing the guns’ origins.

California resident detained related to the shooting

The Journal Sentinel, part of the YSL News Network, reported that shortly after a man from California was taken into custody on suspicion of conspiring to orchestrate a mass shooting at a government facility together with the Madison school shooter.

As outlined in an emergency gun violence restraining order, FBI agents spoke with Alexander Paffendorf from Carlsbad, California, regarding the incident. During questioning, “Paffendorf confessed to FBI agents that he informed Rupnow he intended to use explosives and a firearm and According to the order, “he would aim at a government building.”

Representatives from the FBI’s San Diego office chose not to provide any comments. The Carlsbad Police Department, which initiated the order request, has not yet responded to inquiries.

Victims of the school shooting

Barnes also spoke with the Journal Sentinel as the identities of the victims from the shooting were revealed for the first time, naming them as Rubi Patricia Vergara, aged 14, and Erin M. West, aged 42. Regarding the individuals injured during the incident, Barnes mentioned that the hospital had ceased updates to the police concerning the status of those still hospitalized, due to privacy regulations.

As far as he knew, those victims were still alive.

Earlier in the week, Barnes reported that two students were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Initially, a teacher and three students were also hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.

By Monday evening, two individuals had been discharged from the hospital.

Barnes indicated he could not confirm whether the shooter had a specific target and urged anyone with information related to the incident to reach out to the police.

“The shooter made the choice to enter that study hall filled with various high school students and opened fire,” he stated. “Everyone present had an equal risk of losing their life that day.”

He was unsure if the shooter was supposed to be in that study hall.

Family background

Court documents reveal that Rupnow frequently moved between her parents’ households. They married and divorced multiple times throughout her life, with their most recent separation finalized in the summer of 2022.

In the aftermath of the shooting, attention has shifted to the online activities of the freshman student. However, details—including a potential manifesto attributed to her—are yet to be confirmed.

The police are looking for the individual who first shared the alleged manifesto online, as it was suggested that there was a direct connection to her. If this is true, Barnes noted, that person may possess valuable information for the investigation.

Investigators are also analyzing the teenager’s cellphone to determine if the document was created on her device.