A teenage girl’s home was raided by SWAT teams using stun grenades following a deadly school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.
The shooter, identified as 15-year-old Natalie ‘Samantha’ Rupnow, killed a teacher and a fellow student before fatally turning the gun on herself. Six others were wounded in the attack, two of whom remain in critical condition.
The incident happened at Abundant Life Christian School, located in Madison, shortly before 11 a.m.
Rupnow, a student at the school, opened fire during a mixed-grade study hall, leaving the community reeling. Authorities described the attack as premeditated, though the shooter’s exact motive remains unclear.
In the hours after the incident, SWAT teams and police swarmed Rupnow’s family home, located eight miles from the school.
Witnesses reported that at least ten police vehicles and a SWAT truck arrived at the property. Stun grenades, causing loud “flash bangs,” were deployed during the raid, alarming neighbours. The home’s front door was removed, and the windows were damaged, according to local reports.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that investigators searched the home on Monday and are now pursuing additional search warrants. Barnes added that police had no prior interactions with Rupnow and she was not previously on their radar.
Authorities are also investigating reports of a manifesto linked to the shooter, which has been circulating on social media. While the document has not yet been verified, law enforcement officials are reviewing Rupnow’s writings to better understand her state of mind leading up to the attack.
A law enforcement source disclosed to CNN that the teenager had been “dealing with problems” and expressing them in written form.
The incident shocked the tight-knit community, prompting an evening vigil at Blackhawk Church in nearby Middleton.
Mourners gathered to pray for the victims and offer comfort to one another in the wake of the devastating violence.
Students who witnessed the attack described the terror as Rupnow opened fire in a room filled with classmates.
Police and emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, evacuating children to safety and ensuring they were reunited with parents at an off-campus location.
The shooting has reignited concerns about gun violence in schools across the United States, as communities continue to grapple with its devastating impact.
Madison’s mayor and local officials have called for renewed efforts to address gun safety and prevent further tragedies.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Rupnow’s actions continues as authorities seek answers to how a 15-year-old gained access to a firearm and carried out such a horrific attack.
