What’s New
The parents of Natalie Rupnow, the 15-year-old identified by police as the shooter at a school in Madison, adjusted their custody agreement in 2022, court records show.
Rupnow was placed in the primary care of her mother following her parents’ divorce in 2014. In 2022, her father earned primary placement of Rupnow.
Why It Matters
A teacher and a student were fatally shot at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday. Rupnow was pronounced dead while being transported to a hospital. Six others were injured in the shooting.
Officials said her family is cooperating with the investigation and her home is being searched.
AP Photo/Morry Gash
What To Know
Natalie’s parents, Mellissa Rupnow and Jeffrey Rupnow, filed for divorce in 2014. A court document signed by the parents in March of that year stated that they will have joint legal custody of Natalie, but her primary physical placement would be with her mother.
Mellissa and Jeffrey got remarried in 2017, according to an order of support. The document asks the court to set child support to zero and adjust the custody of Natalie to equal shared placement.
The couple filed for a second divorce in 2021. At the time, the parents agreed to shared placement of Natalie.
In a mediated agreement filed in July of 2022, Jeffrey was granted primary placement of Natalie. The parents agreed that their goal was to work toward equal placement.
The parents’ divorce was mentioned by Natalie in an alleged manifesto circulating on social media. She allegedly described her relationship with her parents as “extremely difficult” and referred to them as “scum.”
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said officials are aware of the document but have not been able to verify its authenticity.
Police responded to Abundant Life Christian School after receiving a 911 call from a second-grader at 10:57 a.m.
Police said Rupnow died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Her cause of death will be released once the medical examiner’s office concludes its investigation.
Newsweek reached out to the Madison Police Department for comment.
What People Are Saying
President Joe Biden, on X: “Today, families in Madison, Wisconsin are grieving the loss of those who were killed and wounded at Abundant Life Christian School. It’s shocking and unconscionable. We need Congress to act. Now.”
Madison Police Chief Barnes, at a news conference: “Every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, in a statement: “There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning.”
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, at a press conference on Monday: “If anyone needs mental health support as a result of this incident and the coverage of it, I encourage them to reach out to 988, by phone or text and to get the mental health support that they need.”
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