Police Incident Reports A Selection of Noteworthy Incident Reports

Incidents listed are selected by the Officer In Charge of each shift that may have significant public interest. Incidents listed are not inclusive of all incidents. To view Calls for Services information, please visit communitycrimemap.com. Requests for information can be directed to the MPD Records Unit: (608) 266-4075.

Incident Report for Case #2024-550345

Incident Type

Weapons Violation

Incident Date

12/16/2024 - 10:57 AM

Address

4901 E Buckeye Rd (Abundant Life Christian School)

Update

UPDATE 10 - 1/14/2025 at 3:45 P.M.

The two students who were critically injured during the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School are now considered in good condition.

UW Health released a statement about their conditions on Tuesday.

The Madison Police Department continues to investigate last month's deadly shooting. The motive in this case is still unknown. A team of detectives is working daily to analyze a significant amount of evidence. They are looking at social media posts, conducting interviews and following up on every lead that may help us understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

Determining a motive is a complex and challenging process. In this case, we know the suspect was very active online and on social media. Detectives are writing search warrants and subpoenas for social media platforms and tech companies. Once they receive the requested information, detectives will then have to look over tens of thousands of pages of data. This part of the investigation takes time.

This remains an ongoing investigation.

UPDATE 9 - 12/23/2024 AT 4:41 P.M.

It's been one week since the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

The Madison Police Department is working to determine a motive for this incident.

Detectives are doing an extensive evaluation and research of the suspect's online presence. We are aware of the documents, images and accounts linked to the shooter being shared online. At this time, we cannot verify any of these publicly.

An unbiased investigation takes time. We are in the investigation phase of this incident and it could be weeks before our department determines a motive.

The Madison Police Department continues to support the families of Abundant Life Christian School. A substitute teacher coordinator and a student were shot and killed on Dec. 16. Funeral services for these victims were held on Saturday and Monday.

Six other people were physically injured during this incident. A teacher and three students suffered non-life-threatening injuries. All of these survivors were discharged from the hospital last week.

Two other students were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Friday, UW Hospital released a statement indicating these students are stable.

Please continue to respect the privacy of all those impacted by the shooting.

The yellow police tape was removed from around the school last week. Traffic barricades remain in place as the school is private property. Trespassers may be cited.

There are no in-person press briefings scheduled at this time. Members of the press with specific questions should send this to ALCScomms@cityofmadison.com.

This remains an ongoing investigation.

UPDATE 8 - 12/18/2024 AT 8:55 P.M.

The Madison Police Department continues to investigate the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

The four people taken to the hospital with minor injuries have all been discharged. The two students transported with life-threatening injuries remain in the hospital.

On Wednesday, the Dane County Medical Examiner's office released the names of the teenage student and staff member who died.

Officers were dispatched to the school at 10:57 a.m. on Monday. The first law enforcement officers entered the building at 11 a.m. They arrived to find multiple people, both students and staff, suffering from gunshot wounds.

The shooter opened fire in a second-floor classroom during a study hall for mixed grades. One person outside of this classroom was also injured after a bullet entered an adjacent room.

The shooter has been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha. She was a freshman at the school and died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Two guns were recovered at the school, but only one was used during the shooting. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) completed its data trace and provided the results to MPD. At this time, we will not be providing any information about these weapons as it could jeopardize our investigation.

Detectives are still working to determine a motive. As in any investigation, they are reviewing the shooter's social media activity and evidence collected at her home. They are aware of the documents and photos circulating around the internet and are working to verify their authenticity. Our team is looking to connect to anyone who may have interacted with Natalie Rupnow in the days and weeks leading up to the shooting. People can share information anonymously through Madison Area Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com or by calling 608-266-6014.

This incident has now entered the investigation phase. This phase takes time and the information we can release is limited. Please know the staff of the Madison Police Department will provide updates when possible, but ask for your patience. And until then, we ask you keep the victims, survivors and their families in mind and respect their right to privacy.

Our department has created a Facts and Questions page regarding this shooting.

This remains an ongoing and active investigation. The Madison Police Department, within its ability, will do its best to provide updates when possible.

UPDATE 7 - 12/17/2024 AT 11:56 A.M.

Members of the media, questions for today's press briefing must be submitted ahead of time. Please email cschuster@cityofmadison.com by 12:30 CST with your inquiries.

UPDATE 6 - 12/16/2024 AT 11:15 PM

The Madison Police Department responded to a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning.

Officers were dispatched to the school, which is located on the city's east side, at 10:57 a.m.

They arrived to find multiple people, both students and staff, injured.

Three people, including the suspected shooter, are dead. The shooter has been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha. She was a student at the school and evidence suggests she died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The official cause of death will be released by the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office pending the conclusion of their thorough examination. She was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.

A teacher and a teenage student were pronounced dead at the school.

Six other people were injured during the shooting and taken to area hospitals. Two students remain in critical condition and have life-threatening injuries.

A teacher and three students were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Two of these people have been discharged from the hospital. The other two survivors are considered stable.

At this time, we believe there was only one shooter involved. We are still working to determine a motive. Detectives talked with her family members Monday evening and conducted a search of the shooter's home in Madison.

The shooting happened inside a classroom in a study hall full of students from mixed grades. A document about this shooting is circulating online, but at this time we cannot verify its authenticity.

The Abundant Life Christian School is being monitored by police overnight. At this time, except law enforcement, is being allowed on school property.

Reunification for students was completed by 5:30 p.m. on Monday and not long after for staff. The Madison Police Department would like to thank the Dean Clinic staff who assisted with the reunification process. The clinic closed down for the day shortly after the shooting took place.

Multiple law enforcement and first responder partners assisted with Monday's response. The Madison Fire Department and several other Dane County EMS agencies, Dane County Sheriff's Office, University of Wisconsin Police Department, FBI, ATF have all played a role in Monday's response and investigation. The Madison Police Department would also like to acknowledge UW Hospital and St. Mary's for all their work in treating the survivors of Monday's shooting.

If you need assistance, you can contact the Crime Response Program between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 608-284-6908. You can reach staff through an after-hours pager at 608-376-0164.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Office of School Safety and Office of Crime Victim Services are also providing resources. Their Critical Incident Response Team program is designed to minimize the psychological impact of a school critical incident and helps provide long-term mental health services after a critical incident. People are encouraged to contact their 24-hour resource center at 1-800-697-8761 or email them at?schoolsafety@doj.state.wi.us.

The next media briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Fire Station 14 at 3201 Dairy Dr.

UPDATE 5 - 12/16/2024 AT 4:30 P.M.

Three peeople died as a result of this shooting, including the suspected shooter. The shooter was a teenage student at the school. A teacher and another teenage student also died.

Two people are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

Four people are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.

At this time, detectives are working to determine a motivie.

Reunification is underway for parents and guardians at the Dean Clinic at 1821 S. Stoughton Road. Community members are asked to not show up to this location unless they are picking up a student. The reunification process will take some time, please be patient.

The next media briefing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Fire Station 14 at 3201 Dairy Dr.

UPDATE 3 - 12/16/2024 AT 12:48 P.M.

At this time, three are deceased. During the media briefing earlier this afternoon, it was erroneously shared 5 were deceased.

Again, three are deceased. Seven are injured. Their injuries range from minor to life-threatening.

The next media briefing is at 2:30 p.m. at Fire Station 14 at 3201 Dairy Dr.

The investigation is ongoing. Please expect information to change as the investigation unfolds.

UPDATE 2 - 12/16/2024 AT 12:22 P.M.

The shooter was a student at the school and is deceased.

At this time, three people have died as a result of the shooting, including the suspect.

At least seven others are injuried. Their injuries range from minor to life-threatening.

UPDATE 1 - 12/16/2024

Media is asked to meet at the Kwik Trip on Buckeye Road.

Chief Barnes will provide an update to the media and public at 12:15 p.m. at this location.

Last updated 01/14/2025 at 3:45 PM by PIO Stephanie Fryer

Details

The Madison Police Department is investigating a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

Multiple injuries have been reported. This remains an active and ongoing investigaiton. More information will be released as it is available.

We currently need people to avoid the area.

Roads will be blocked off along 4900 Buckeye Road. Drivers and community members are asked to find alternate routes in travel is needed in this area.

Released 12/16/2024 at 11:13 AM by PIO Stephanie Fryer