Natalie ‘Samantha’ Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, has been identified as the suspected shooter in the tragic school attack that occurred on Monday, 16 December 2024.
Who Was Natalie ‘Samantha’ Rupnow?
The incident resulted in the deaths of a teacher and a student, with six others injured. Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene before authorities arrived.
Rupnow, who also went by Samantha, was a student at Abundant Life Christian School. Details about her personal life remain limited, but a manifesto attributed to her sheds light on her mindset leading up to the shooting.
In the manifesto titled “War Against Humanity”, Rupnow expressed a deep hatred toward society, her family, and humanity at large. The document reflects themes of alienation, resentment, and extremist beliefs.
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Key points from her writing include:
- Rupnow described humanity as “filth,” blaming society for her anger and isolation.
- She expressed racist sentiments, using explicit slurs and derogatory language against black people and other groups.
- She spoke about her distrust and resentment toward her parents, describing them as “scum.”
- The manifesto included references to violence and death, with Rupnow justifying her planned actions as part of a so-called “revolution.”
- She highlighted a disdain for the way people “grow and think” and mentioned feelings of being pushed “into a corner” with no support.
In her writings, Rupnow positioned herself as “different” from others, rejecting societal norms and expressing anger toward both individuals and broader groups.
In the moments leading up to the shooting, Rupnow reportedly posted a self-taken image online, which shows her flashing a white supremacist hand signal.
This gesture, often associated with extremist ideologies, aligns with the hateful and racially charged sentiments expressed in her manifesto.
The Wisconsin school hooting and latest updates
The attack unfolded on Monday morning during a study hall session at Abundant Life Christian School, involving students from multiple grades.
Authorities were alerted when a second-grade student called 911 at approximately 10:57 (est. 18:57 SAST) to report the shooting.
By the time emergency responders arrived, two people—a teacher and a student—had been killed, and six others sustained injuries.
Two of the injured remain in critical condition, while two others are listed as stable. Rupnow was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators are working to trace the origin of the handgun used in the attack and determine whether there were any warning signs leading up to the incident.
Police have also noted that Rupnow’s parents are cooperating fully with the investigation, and no charges have been filed against them at this time.
Authorities are reviewing the manifesto and the social media posts Rupnow shared before the attack as part of the ongoing investigation.
