Police release the name of the suspect in the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. Here's the latest

 

Police officers stand guard near the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 16. 

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Authorities identified Natalie Rupnow, 15, who went by the name “Samantha,” as the suspected shooter at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning in Madison, Wisconsin, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

Evidence suggests the suspect died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Barnes said at a Monday night news conference, adding that the suspect was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.

Barnes asked the community not to hold a vigil at the school as it is still an active crime scene, which is being monitored by police overnight and no one is allowed inside or on the school property.

Barnes provided additional updates during a Monday night news conference:

• Location of shooting: Monday’s shooting took place “inside a classroom in a study hall of students from mixed grades,” Barnes said.
• Child called 911: A second grader at the school called 911 to report the shooting, Barnes told reporters.
• A reported manifesto: Authorities are aware of writings that have been posted, and the person who made the post is “alleged to have a connection with the victim,” Barnes said. “We haven’t been able to verify that it’s authentic.” He said said authorities have not located the person who made the post, but have shared information with the FBI for help.
• Suspect’s family: The suspect’s father is speaking with police at one of their facilities, Barnes said, adding that police are trying to determine what he may or may not have known. Police are not looking to charge the parents of the 15-year-old suspect in connection with the shooting “at this time,” Barnes said.
• The suspect’s gender: Asked by a reporter whether the suspect was transgender, Barnes said he did not know and “quite frankly, I don’t think that’s important at all.” He added that he doesn’t “think whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may want to identify.”
• No previous interactions: Police are not aware of any previous interactions with the 15-year-old suspect, Barnes said.
• Victims: Barnes said he wants to make sure all family members have been notified before he releases the ages and names of the victims of Monday’s shooting. Additionally, two of the six people who were injured are students in critical condition and have life-threatening injuries, Barnes said.