Wisconsin Shooting Latest: How 'copycat' Natalie Rupnow joined shooting range months before school attack

A 15-year-old student, Natalie Rupnow, who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School, had joined a shooting range just months before the tragic incident, authorities revealed. The shooting resulted in the death of a teacher and a fellow student.

Natalie, who also went by the name "Samantha," was photographed shooting skeet during the summer. Her father, Jeff Rupnow, shared a photo of her on Facebook in August, commenting that they had been enjoying their time at the range since spring.

In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes stated that the motive behind the attack might involve a "combination of factors." Investigators are currently speaking with students to determine if Natalie had been bullied. Court documents indicate that she had a "turbulent home life," as reported by the Washington Post.

Key Points:

Natalie Rupnow was pictured with a shotgun at a firing range months before the attack.

She was wearing a shirt similar to one worn by a Columbine shooter.

Court documents reveal she had a "turbulent home life."

Investigations and Reactions:

Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are working to trace the history of the handgun used in the attack. Chief Barnes mentioned that they are trying to determine how the weapon ended up in the hands of a 15-year-old.

Madison Fire Department officials were among the first to respond to the scene. Fire Chief Dan Williams highlighted the department's Active Shooting Incident Management program, which was instrumental in their response.

The Abundant Life Christian School expressed gratitude to the Madison community for their support during a vigil held on Tuesday evening. They also acknowledged the overwhelming support at City Church's Mourning Prayer Service.

Profile of the Shooter:

Natalie Rupnow, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is one of the few female perpetrators of school shootings in recent history. Data shows that women constitute less than five percent of assailants in school shootings over the past 11 years.

Community Response:

A seventh-grader at the school described the slain teacher as "kind and caring." The student, Angel Brube, shared his experience during the shooting, stating that the first gunshots sounded like loud footsteps. He praised the teacher for her friendliness and communication skills.

As the community grapples with the aftermath, authorities continue their investigation to uncover more details about Natalie's background and the events leading up to the shooting.