Police said it appears the motive for the shooting that left two people dead, along with the suspect, at a private school in Wisconsin was “a combination of factors.”
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes on Tuesday did not provide specifics about what is believed to have led a 15-year-old girl, named by authorities as Natalie Rupnow, to open fire at Abundant Life Christian School in the city of Madison.
Six people were also injured in Monday’s shooting. Rupnow is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sheriff Barnes said in a news conference that investigators are asking anyone who knows the suspect to come forward with information.
“At this point, determining the motive is our top priority,” he said. “But at this point, it appears the motive was a combination of factors.”
“We ask that anyone who knew her or who may have more insight into how she was feeling up until yesterday please contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers.”
Police are reviewing the suspect’s social media as part of the investigation.
Sheriff Barnes said investigators are also talking to students at Abundant Life Christian School to find out if bullying was a factor.
The condition of the injured victims remained unchanged as of Monday evening. There are two people hospitalized in life-threatening condition and two people in stable condition. Two others have been discharged from the hospital.
The two victims who were shot to death were a teenage student and a teacher. No victims have been named by authorities.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said officials will share information when possible.
“Absolutely none of you were harmed in this incident,” she said in a heated exchange following a reporter’s question during the press conference.
“Please, have humanity and respect for those who have lost loved ones, been injured themselves, or had their children injured.”
Sheriff Barnes also clarified Tuesday that the 911 call reporting the shooting came from a second-grade teacher and not a second-grade student as previously stated.
He apologized for the error and said he misread the police log of the incident.
He also said multiple schools in the area were targeted by prank threats, known as swatting, on Tuesday morning. Police do not believe there is currently any threat to those schools.
“As a community, we must not allow violence or any act of violence to define us,” he said.
“We refuse to allow hate and destruction to win in this city, but instead we will honor our survivors, our victims, through love and support. Aid Madison’s Way.”
