Police investigate potential manifesto after Wisconsin school shooting

She tragically killed two people in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes explained that detectives are trying to verify if the manifesto circulating online is authentic. The document allegedly connects the shooter to the attack, but its authenticity has not been confirmed.

Rupnow, also known as Samantha, opened fire at the school, killing a teacher and a fellow student, while injuring six others. The tragic event occurred just before 11 a.m. When the shooting began, a second-grade student quickly dialed 911 to report the incident.

[Families leave the SSM Health Center, which was set up as a reunification site, after a shooting on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)]

Investigation and Family Involvement

Detectives are working hard to determine a motive for the shooting. They have been in contact with Rupnow’s family and have searched her home in Madison. Her father is cooperating with the authorities, trying to provide any information that might help the investigation. Police have not yet determined if the victims were targeted, and the motive remains unclear.

Barnes said, “We need to figure out exactly what happened,” adding that every person involved in the shooting is a victim in this tragedy.

School's Quick Response

Barbara Wiers, the director of elementary and school relations at Abundant Life Christian School, praised the school’s students for how they handled the situation. Just before the school year began, the staff had conducted lockdown and evacuation drills, so students knew what to do when the announcement came.

When students heard the word "lockdown," they understood that it was real and immediately followed procedures. “They handled themselves magnificently,” Wiers said.

The school’s safety protocols include cameras, but it does not have metal detectors or a resource officer. Still, the training and drills prepared the students and faculty for such an emergency.

First Responders and Community Support

The shooting was reported around 10:57 a.m. and first responders were quick to arrive at the scene. Police found the shooter dead at the school from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No officers fired their weapons during the incident.

The shooting was contained to one area, though it’s not yet clear if it took place in a classroom or a hallway. Officers were able to secure the school, and no further threats to the community were found.

As police worked on the scene, the parents of students gathered at a nearby health clinic to reunite with their children. Many parents shared emotional moments, holding their children close. One girl was even comforted with a coat as she moved through the parking lot filled with police vehicles.

[Police walk outside Abundant Life Christian School after a shooting on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)]

“We always send prayers, but when is enough, enough? This is not okay,” said parent Mireille Jean-Charles, reflecting on the heartbreak caused by such violence.

Victims’ Conditions and Impact on the Community

Two students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while another three students and a teacher have non-life-threatening injuries. Several of the injured have been treated and discharged from the hospital.

Madison residents described seeing many police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks as they arrived at the school. John Diaz De Leon, a local resident, said he had never seen so many police cars in his life. “The neighborhood was swarming with lights,” he added.

The school, which has about 390 students, has been cleared, and police confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community. Authorities are investigating the shooter’s background and trying to uncover any warning signs before the attack.

School and Community Reactions

“This has obviously rocked our school community,” said Wiers. She acknowledged that the tragedy not only affected the school but also the broader Madison community and other schools in the area.

Parents have been deeply shaken by the events. One parent, Karl Gottschalk, explained how he received a message about the shooting while driving. “It really hit me hard,” he said. His daughter, Nora, described the chaos during the shooting and how students were rushed to safety.

Political Leaders Respond

President Joe Biden responded to the shooting, calling it “shocking and unconscionable.” In a statement, he urged Congress to pass stricter gun safety laws, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Biden called for action, saying, “We cannot continue to accept it as normal.”

He also mentioned his administration’s efforts to address gun violence, including the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

As the investigation continues, the community remains shaken but united. The school’s staff, students, and parents are leaning on their faith and supporting one another. Wiers expressed hope that something good could come from the tragedy, as people learn and grow from this experience.