Fifteen Year Old Female Shooter Kills Self and Two Others in Christian School Shooting Spree

In a tragic turn of events on December 16, 2024, the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, became the latest site of a school shooting that left three individuals dead, including the shooter, and six others injured. The assailant, identified as 15-year-old student Natalie Lynn “Samantha” Rupnow, reportedly used a 9mm caliber pistol to carry out the attack before succumbing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Incident Unfolds

At approximately 10:57 a.m. CST, a second-grade student dialed 911 to report an active shooter situation within the school premises. Law enforcement officers arrived on the scene within minutes, discovering Rupnow deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The swift response ensured that no officers had to discharge their weapons during the intervention.

The shooting transpired in a study hall classroom, where Rupnow opened fire, fatally wounding a teacher and a fellow teenage student. Six additional individuals sustained injuries; two were reported in critical condition, while the remaining four suffered less severe wounds. The injured were promptly transported to local medical facilities, including SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and UW Health University Hospital, for treatment.

Profile of the Perpetrator

Natalie Rupnow, known to some as “Samantha,” was a 15-year-old student enrolled at Abundant Life Christian School. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances that led to her possession of the 9mm pistol, as Wisconsin law generally prohibits individuals under 18 from possessing firearms. The origin of the firearm remains under scrutiny, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducting a trace to determine its provenance.

In the aftermath of the incident, reports have surfaced regarding a manifesto allegedly authored by Rupnow, titled “War Against Humanity,” which purportedly details personal grievances and motivations. Law enforcement officials have acknowledged awareness of this document but have not confirmed its authenticity pending further investigation.

The Weapon: A 9mm Pistol

The firearm utilized in this tragic event was a 9mm caliber pistol, a popular choice among both civilians and law enforcement due to its manageable recoil and widespread availability. The 9mm cartridge is renowned for its balance between stopping power and ease of use, factors that contribute to its prevalence. However, the accessibility of such firearms has been a focal point in ongoing debates surrounding gun control and youth access to weapons.

At 15, Natalie was too young to own a pistol in the state of Wisconsin legally. The law in that state requires people to be at least 18 years old to own a pistol. For concealed carry, they must be at least 21 years old.

Community and National Response

The Abundant Life Christian School community, encompassing approximately 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, has been left in a state of shock and mourning. In a brief statement, the school requested prayers for their “Challenger Family” as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.

Local and national leaders have expressed their condolences and called for action. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers described the event as “unthinkable,” emphasizing the need for communities to come together in support of the victims and their families. President Joe Biden labeled the shooting “shocking and unconscionable,” urging Congress to enact “common sense gun safety laws,” including universal background checks and a national red flag law. Given the chance, I’d ask President Biden just how those laws would have prevented this shooting. After asking him this, I can imagine him mumbling something under his breath and ambling aimlessly into the nearest woodline. 

As R. Lee Ermey famously said in the 1987 War movie Full Metal Jacket, “It’s the hard heart that kills.” Until we find a reliable way to soften hearts, we are going to have killings in this country (and every other country in the world), regardless of the weapon used.

A Broader Context

This incident adds to the distressing tally of school shootings in the United States, with 2024 witnessing at least 83 such events. Republican or Democrat, it seems the shooters do not care who is in office.

The recurrence of these tragedies has intensified discussions on gun control measures, mental health support, and school safety protocols. Despite the frequency of these occurrences, legislative action at the federal level has remained limited, leaving communities grappling with the challenge of ensuring the safety of students and educators.

Remembering the Bath School Massacre

Not to mitigate the tragic events of November 16th, but in the inevitable uproar over gun control, many Americans have never heard of the largest mass killing in US history. Not one gun was used in that mass murder.

The Bath School massacre, which took place on May 18, 1927, in Bath Township, Michigan, remains the deadliest school killing in U.S. history. The tragedy claimed the lives of 45 people, including 38 children, and left 58 others injured. The attack was orchestrated by Andrew Kehoe, a disgruntled farmer and school board treasurer, who used explosives to carry out his devastating plan.

Kehoe’s motives stemmed from anger over increased property taxes that funded the construction of the Bath Consolidated School. Facing foreclosure on his farm and known for frequent disputes with neighbors and school officials, Kehoe meticulously planned the attack for months. It was an act of revenge against a community he believed had wronged him.

On the morning of May 18, Kehoe’s violence began at home. He killed his wife, set his farm ablaze, and then turned his focus to the school. Underneath the building’s north wing, Kehoe had secretly planted over 600 pounds of dynamite and pyrotol, an explosive commonly used in World War I. At approximately 8:45 a.m., the explosives detonated, ripping through the school and causing a scene of unimaginable devastation.

As rescuers frantically worked to save children trapped in the rubble, Kehoe arrived at the school in his truck, which he had rigged with even more dynamite and shrapnel. Without warning, he detonated the truck, killing himself and four others, including the school superintendent. The combined destruction left an entire community reeling in horror.

In total, 38 children between the ages of 7 and 14 lost their lives, along with two teachers, four additional adults, and Kehoe himself. Another 58 people suffered injuries. Investigators later discovered that Kehoe had planted an additional 500 pounds of dynamite in the school’s south wing. Fortunately, these explosives failed to detonate, preventing an even greater loss of life.

The impact on the small farming town of Bath was catastrophic. About one-fourth of the town’s children were killed in the explosion. Survivors described harrowing scenes of chaos as rescuers desperately searched through the rubble to pull out the injured and recover bodies. The tragedy forever changed the community, leaving emotional scars that would last for generations.

The Bath School disaster is unique among acts of violence targeting schools because it involved explosives rather than firearms, setting it apart from more recent tragedies. Despite its magnitude, the event is often overshadowed in public memory by modern mass shootings. However, it remains a powerful reminder of how deeply personal grievances, when left unchecked, can escalate into unthinkable violence.

Moving Forward

As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on uncovering the factors that led to this devastating event. The community is left to mourn the loss of life and to support those affected by the violence. 

In the words of Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, “Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever.” The lasting impact of this event on the survivors and the broader community cannot be overstated, highlighting the imperative for collective efforts to address the root causes of such acts of violence.

This is a developing story, and SOFREP will issue updates as more information becomes available.