MADISON, Wis. — A father has been charged after his teenage daughter allegedly carried out a school shooting that left two dead and several injured in December 2022. Jeffrey Rupnow, 42, is accused of giving his 15-year-old daughter, Natalie, access to the semiautomatic pistols used in the attack at Abundant Life Christian School.
The criminal complaint details a troubling family dynamic, revealing that Natalie struggled significantly following her parents’ divorce. In an unsettling written document titled “War Against Humanity,” she expressed feelings of rage and despair. Despite acknowledging her struggles, her father attempted to connect with her through firearms, which investigators say played a crucial role in her premeditated actions.
Jeffrey Rupnow was arrested early Thursday morning and is set to appear in court. While he has not yet secured legal representation, the acting Madison police chief stated that he has cooperated with the authorities during the investigation. Efforts to reach Jeffrey Rupnow and his ex-wife, Melissa, have been unsuccessful.
On December 16, Natalie Rupnow entered the school armed and opened fire, tragically killing teacher Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old student Rubi Bergara. Six others were injured in the rampage before she took her own life. Evidence collected from the scene included 20 shell casings and two handguns, one of which her father had recently given her as a gift.
Investigators noted deep issues within the family environment. Jeffrey acknowledged that Natalie had expressed suicidal thoughts and had a history of self-harm, leading him to lock up knives in their home. He described her interest in shooting as something that initially provided a connection but later spiraled into a dangerous obsession.
The complaint states that about 10 days prior to the shooting, Jeffrey texted a friend suggesting that Natalie might harm him if he left a safe open. The day before the attack, he had removed a firearm from the safe, supposedly to allow Natalie to clean it, but failed to ensure it was returned securely.
A detailed examination of Natalie’s room uncovered chilling evidence of her violent intentions. In addition to her manifesto, investigators found meticulous plans, including maps of the school and a timeline for the attack, which she scheduled with alarming precision.
Natalie’s mental health struggles were acknowledged by both parents. Her mother reported that a therapist had diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder due to the family’s upheaval. Friends also revealed that Natalie had confided about her father’s behavior, describing him as verbally aggressive and struggling with alcohol.
Following the shooting, Jeffrey Rupnow reflected on his parenting choices, expressing regret over teaching his daughter gun safety. He urged authorities to warn others about the dangers of unsecured firearms, emphasizing that children are adept at deciphering codes and accessing firearms.
The case against Jeffrey Rupnow adds to a growing list of parents facing legal consequences for their children’s actions involving firearms. In recent years, others have faced charges for negligence in similar cases, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun access and parental responsibility.