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Victims of Wisconsin school shooting identified while man is detained in connection to the murder

Home> News> US News

Updated 08:49 19 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 08:50 19 Dec 2024 GMT

Victims of Wisconsin school shooting identified while man is detained in connection to the murder

A 42-year-old woman and 14-year-old girl died in the devastating ordeal

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

The teacher and school student who died in a Wisconsin school shooting have been named.

On Monday (December 16), Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow allegedly opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin.

The ordeal claimed the lives of two people and injured six others - two of whom were said to be in critical condition.

Rupnow, 15, also died in the ordeal from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

An apparent motive is yet to be determined by police, but they've said that there could have been a 'combination of factors'.

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Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said in a press conference on Tuesday: "Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time it appears that the motive was a combination of factors."

He added: "We are asking anyone who knew her or who may have insights into her feelings leading up to yesterday to please contact the Madison-area Crime Stoppers."

The shooting took place at Abundant Life Christian School on December 16 (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The shooting took place at Abundant Life Christian School on December 16 (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

As law enforcement continues to investigate the matter, the two people that died in the ordeal have been named.

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42-year-old teacher Erin Michelle West died in the incident, as well as ninth grader Rubi Patricia Vergara.

West's students have described her as 'kind and caring' and is said to have 'really loved her kids', says CNN.

Elsewhere, Vergara, 14, 'loved art, singing and playing keyboard' in her family worship band.

The teenager also loved animals and a special connection with her cat, Ginger, and dog, Coco.

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14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara has been named as one of the victims (Gunderson Funeral Home)
14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara has been named as one of the victims (Gunderson Funeral Home)

While Rupnow is believed to have been the perpetrator of the attack, a 20-year-old man in California has been arrested in connection to Monday's ordeal.

Alexander Paffendorf, 20, is said to have been detained by the FBI on suspicion of 'plotting' to coordinate a mass shooting at government buildings in conjunction with Rupnow, Mail Online reports.

Part of an emergency gun violence restraining order relating to Paffendorf's detention reads: "During an FBI interview, Paffendorf admitted to the FBI agents that he told Rupnow that he would arm himself with explosives and a gun that he would target a government building."

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FBI agents are said to have read the text exchanges between the 20-year-old and Rupnow.

Erin Michelle West has been named as the teacher who was fatally shot (Abundant Life Christian School)
Erin Michelle West has been named as the teacher who was fatally shot (Abundant Life Christian School)

Paffendorf has been ordered to surrender any firearms and ammunition, and is prohibited from acquiring any more.

It isn't known how many weapons he had, but onlookers saw FBI agents leaving his Carlsbad apartment carrying a black gun box.

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If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.

Featured Image Credit: Abundant Life Christian School/Gunderson Funeral Home

Topics: School, Crime, Police, News, US News

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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@niamhshackleton

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