MADISON, Wis. — A father has been charged with criminal negligence for allegedly enabling his daughter to access firearms used in a tragic shooting last year at a local school, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun safety and parental responsibility in youth violence.
Jeffrey Rupnow, 42, faces charges related to the actions of his daughter, Natalie Rupnow, who, at just 15, carried out a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School that resulted in the deaths of a teacher and a fellow student. The criminal complaint suggests a troubling background, revealing that Natalie struggled deeply with her parents’ divorce and expressed her turmoil through various writings, including a disturbing document titled “War Against Humanity.”
The complaint outlines how Jeffrey attempted to connect with his daughter through guns, believing that shared activities would strengthen their relationship, even as she meticulously plotted the attack in the weeks leading up to it. It details that he had gifted her firearms, including a .22-caliber pistol for Christmas and a 9 mm Glock, which she utilized during the assault on December 16.
Law enforcement found evidence in the aftermath of the shooting that underscores the premeditated nature of her actions. Investigators collected 20 shell casings and discovered a set of maps of the school alongside a timeline Natalie had created, detailing her attack strategy. She planned to conclude the assault with her own suicide, presenting a shocking case of a young person engulfed in personal despair.
Following the incident, Jeffrey Rupnow was arrested and is set to appear in court. While authorities have noted his cooperation throughout the investigation, the case raises complex questions about parental accountability in incidents of youth gun violence.
Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaos and horror that unfolded during the shooting. Natalie entered a study hall armed and opened fire, tragically killing teacher Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old student Rubi Bergara, in addition to injuring six others. Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic as students tried to escape from the classroom.
Parallel to their investigation, authorities are looking into the family dynamics that may have contributed to this tragedy. Jeffrey Rupnow admitted to investigators that his daughter had previously struggled with suicidal thoughts and self-harm. He claimed to have tried to safeguard her by locking up knives and monitoring her mental health.
The father’s actions following the shooting have sparked discussions about safe gun practices and the responsibility of parents in supervising access to firearms. In the weeks after the incident, he expressed regret about his decision to teach her how to handle guns safely and suggested that gun owners should frequently change their safe combinations to prevent access by children.
The Rupnow case is part of a broader trend in which parents face legal repercussions after their children’s acts of violence involving firearms. Recent incidents across the country have seen parents held responsible for enabling access to guns, prompting legal and societal calls for stricter firearm safety regulations and parental accountability.
As communities grapple with the consequences of such tragedies, the Rupnow incident serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities surrounding youth violence and the need for comprehensive discussions on mental health, gun safety, and parental roles in preventing future tragedies.