Madison, Wisconsin — Authorities have arrested Jeffrey Rupnow, the father of a teenager accused of a tragic school shooting that claimed a student’s and a teacher’s lives last December at the Abundant Life School. The charges against the 42-year-old include felony counts of intentionally providing a dangerous weapon to a minor, resulting in death, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Rupnow’s daughter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, was only 15 when she allegedly opened fire inside the private Christian school on December 16, 2024. The incident left two dead and six others injured. Following the shooting, Natalie took her own life, further deepening the tragedy surrounding the case. Investigators only recently turned their focus to Jeffrey Rupnow, leading to his arrest nearly five months post-incident.
During a search of the family’s residence, authorities discovered disturbing materials in the suspect’s bedroom. A manifesto titled “War Against Humanity,” along with a scale model of the school and plans for the attack, raised significant alarms among law enforcement officials. Acting Madison Police Chief John Patterson described the items as “disturbing” and indicative of premeditated violence.
In total, investigators found 20 shell casings and two firearms at the school; one was a 9mm handgun and the other a .22 caliber weapon. Both firearms were reportedly acquired legally in stores in Dane County. According to the police chief, while only one gun was used during the shooting, the other was found in the girl’s bag.
Jeffrey Rupnow allegedly disclosed to detectives that he had purchased the guns for his daughter, one as a Christmas gift in 2023 and the other earlier the following summer. Court documents indicate that while she contributed to the purchase of the second firearm, it remained registered in her father’s name. Following the investigation, law enforcement found a total of nine additional firearms in the family home, including three rifles and six handguns, eight of which were secured in a safe.
While the home did contain a gun safe, authorities concluded that it did not effectively prevent the teen from gaining access to the weapons. Inquiries directed to the girl’s mother revealed that she was under the impression that proper safety measures were in place, stating that Rupnow was responsible for securing the firearms.
Social media posts following the shooting depicted Natalie at a firing range, holding weapons and wearing attire reminiscent of that worn by the perpetrators of the Columbine tragedy. In court documents, she reportedly expressed that her visits to the shooting range were therapeutic and a bonding experience with her father.
Before her death, Natalie had also been receiving therapy, though according to her father, she exhibited troubling behavior, including statements such as “I hate my life, I’m going to kill myself.” Her six-page manifesto elaborated on feelings of isolation and anger, claiming to have procured the weapons through deception and expressing animosity toward her peers.
Currently, Jeffrey Rupnow remains in custody at the Dane County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court later this week, as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the tragic events at Abundant Life School.