Madison school shooting marks record-breaking 83rd incident in 2024
At least two people are dead and several others injured following a shooting Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. The suspected 15-year-old student shooter also died, marking the 83rd U.S. school shooting of 2024, Kazinform News Agency reports citing CNN.
“Today around 10:57 AM, our officers were responding to a call of an active shooter at the Abundant Life Christian School here in Madison,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said during a press briefing. According to him, “When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.”
Authorities said the attack was confined to a single classroom during a study hall period. A second-grade student called 911 to report the shooting at 10:57 AM, and officers arrived moments later. “The shooter was down” and the weapon, identified as a 9mm pistol, had been recovered by 11:05 AM, Barnes confirmed. First responders began treating and transporting victims to local hospitals within minutes.
A teacher and a student were killed in the shooting, and six others sustained injuries. Two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon reported. Victims were taken to St. Mary’s Hospital and University of Wisconsin hospitals.
The shooter, Natalie Rupnow, 15, who went by the name “Samantha,” died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital. Investigators are reviewing writings left by Rupnow, which suggest the attack was premeditated. Authorities are working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to trace the origins of the 9mm pistol.
Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations, praised the students’ response to the crisis. “The students handled themselves magnificently. I cannot tell you how well our students did in that process,” Wiers said.
Authorities confirmed that Rupnow’s parents are cooperating with the investigation, additionally saying that there are no indications of prior interactions between the suspect and law enforcement.
According to CNN, the Abundant Life shooting is the 83rd school shooting of 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 82 incidents. In 2022, the number of shootings was 79, and in 2021 – 73. This year, 56 shootings occurred on K-12 campuses and 27 on college or university grounds. The deadliest school shooting of the year took place in Winder, Georgia, where four lives were lost at Apalachee High School.
