A tragic school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, has claimed the lives of a teacher and a student, with the shooter—identified as a 15-year-old girl—taking her own life during the incident. This marks the 83rd school shooting recorded in the United States in 2024.
What happened in Madison, Wisconsin?
According to reports, the shooting occurred on Monday, 16 December 2024, at Abundant Life Christian School, a private K-12 institution in Madison.
In a statement, authorities confirmed that the shooter, identified as 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, entered the school armed with a 9mm handgun.
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She fatally shot one teacher and a fellow student before turning the weapon on herself.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but the two victims were declared dead on the scene.
Authorities have yet to confirm a motive behind the shooting, though initial reports suggest that Natalie Rupnow may have exhibited concerning behaviour in the days leading up to the tragedy.
The Madison community has been left reeling, with school officials describing the event as a “heartbreaking tragedy that has shaken us all.”
Support services and counselling have been made available for affected students, staff, and families.
2024 marks record year for US school shootings
The Wisconsin shooting adds to the grim reality of gun violence in American schools.
2024 has seen a record 83 school shootings, surpassing previous years.
Data compiled by CNN shows that school shootings have steadily risen since 2008, with incidents occurring in both urban and suburban settings.
The rise in shootings has sparked renewed calls for action, with safety measures such as lockdown drills and increased campus security becoming common in schools nationwide.
Critics argue, however, that these measures fail to address the root causes of the crisis.
