(Image: X)
News surrounding the alleged Wisconsin shooter, Natalie Rupnow, continues to unfold as investigators search for answers about the 15-year-old student’s actions at Abundant Life Christian School. On Monday, shortly before 11 a.m., Rupnow reportedly opened fire at the school, killing two people before taking her own life.
As detectives delve into the tragedy, emerging details paint a picture of a troubled home life. According to reports, Rupnow’s parents had divorced and remarried multiple times, and she had been enrolled in therapy to address underlying issues. Court documents obtained by The Washington Post reveal a turbulent custody arrangement, with the teenager frequently shuttling between her parents’ homes every two to three days.
Records indicate that Rupnow’s parents first married in 2013, two years after she was born. They divorced in 2014, initially agreeing to joint custody, with Rupnow primarily residing with her mother. The couple remarried in 2017 but divorced again in 2020, maintaining the same shared custody arrangement. In 2021, the parents remarried once more, only to file for another divorce shortly afterward. By then, Rupnow was living primarily with her father. The constant upheaval in her family life is now being scrutinized as a potential contributing factor to her actions.
Dr. Jillian Peterson, a forensic psychologist, suggested to ABC News that such trauma could have played a significant role in the shooting. Additionally, authorities are examining the teenager’s social media activity for further insights into her mindset.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Wisconsin Police Chief Shon Barnes addressed reports of a possible manifesto tied to Rupnow. “We know a document has been widely shared on social media. At this time we cannot verify its authenticity,” Barnes stated. Detectives are investigating its origins and authenticity.
The alleged manifesto, circulated on platforms like Discord and the site X, reveals troubling themes, including hatred for humanity, feelings of isolation, and disdain for her parents. In one part, the document reportedly states, “Women are the only hope for this wretched world,” though it also expresses frustration that women have been “brainwashed” by men. The manifesto further claims that men “can’t be reformed or redeemed.”
Social media posts linked to Rupnow also suggest an interest in past school shooters and white supremacist ideology. While none of these documents have been confirmed as authentic, investigators are working to piece together a clear motive for the tragedy.
“The motive for the shooting appears to be a combination of factors,” Barnes said, urging the public to share tips that might shed light on the case. The community, meanwhile, grapples with the profound loss and search for understanding in the aftermath of this tragedy.
