Police arrest father of 15-year-old student who killed 2 in shooting at Christian school

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) - The father of a Wisconsin girl who killed two people in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School has been arrested and faces felony charges.

According to the Madison Police Department, Jeffrey Rupnow, 42, was arrested around 3:45 a.m. Thursday. An arrest warrant was unsealed at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Madison police said he faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a child and two counts of providing a dangerous weapon to a person under 18, resulting in death.

Interim Police Chief John Patterson shared in a news conference that two guns, magazines and ammunition were found at the school on the day of the shooting. Only one gun was used by the shooter, and both were purchased legally at Dane County stores by Rupnow.

Police reported finding other weapons in the home during a search, including one that was intended to be gifted to the teen shooter, Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow.

Patterson said there was a gun safe in the home, but it did not stop the teen from having regular access.

The Dane County District Attorney’s Office said Rupnow is expected to appear Friday for his initial court appearance.

The shooting in December 2024 killed a teacher and a student, and left six people injured. Five individuals were released from the hospital, with one still in the hospital in critical condition.

Madison police previously reported it was scouring online records and other resources and speaking with the shooter’s parents and classmates in an attempt to determine a motive for the shooting.

Patterson also asked the public to respect the privacy of the victims, students and staff at ALCS, and asked people to avoid the school’s campus on Thursday to allow victims and families the time and space to process the information.

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