Who Was Natalie Rupnow? The 15-Year-Old Behind The Wisconsin School Shooting

A 15-year-old girl from Madison, Wisconsin, identified as Natalie Lynn Rupnow, has been named as the suspect in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. Rupnow opened fire in a classroom, killing two people, injuring six others, and then taking her own life.  

A manifesto allegedly written by Rupnow has circulated online – and while police have yet to officially authenticate it, the documents are concerning and eerie.

According to journalist and Reduxx founder Anna Slatz, she allegedly obtained the manifesto through Rupnow’s long-distance boyfriend, the six-page document titled "War Against Humanity." Rupnow expressed her anger toward her family, referring to them as "scum," and described feeling like the unwanted child in a broken household. Court records appear to back up claims of repeated divorces and ongoing legal battles between her parents, as well as struggles with addiction in the family.

Rupnow also reportedly admitted to obtaining the weapons through “lies, manipulation, and [her] father’s stupidity.” She expressed admiration for other shooters, particularly Arda Küçükyetim, a Turkish neo-Nazi who carried out a mass attack earlier this year, calling him “an ultimate saint.”

Slatz has reported that Rupnow’s long-distance boyfriend, who had known her for two years but never met her in person, described her as kind, cheerful, and generous. He says she never expressed any violent intentions until the day of the attack, when she sent him her manifesto via WhatsApp at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Less than 90 minutes later, Rupnow posted the document online. By 11:57 a.m., the shooting had begun.

Columbine Connection 

Another unsettling detail that has emerged is Rupnow’s apparent fixation with the Columbine shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Photos circulating online show her wearing a KMFDM T-shirt – the same band Harris referenced on his website prior to the 1999 massacre.

KMFDM, a German industrial rock band, became an unfortunate footnote in the Columbine tragedy when lyrics to their songs appeared on Harris’s site. The band, however, has consistently condemned violence, describing their music as a statement against war and oppression.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how Rupnow obtained the weapons and whether any warning signs were missed. Her family is reportedly cooperating with the investigation, and her home has been searched for further evidence.

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