• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A woman prays at Blackhawk Church in Madison, Wis., Dec. 16, 2024, as people gather to pray for victims and survivors of a mass shooting that day at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. At least three people are dead, including the suspect, and others are injured, after the mass shooting, police said. (OSV News photo/Cullen Granzen, Reuters)

3 dead, including teen suspect, in mass shooting at Wisconsin Christian school

December 17, 2024
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News
Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News

Police in Madison, Wisc., said they are investigating a mass shooting at that city’s Abundant Life Christian School Dec. 16 that left at least two killed and six injured, authorities said. The gunman is also dead, they said.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a press conference there is no ongoing threat to the school or local community.

Police identified the suspected shooter as Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old student, who also went by the name Samantha. Rupnow is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing a teacher and a fellow student.

Barnes said the Madison Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, a community Christian school with students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school’s website states it was founded in 1978 as “a community Christian school with the vision of providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for families in the greater Dane County area.”

Children prepare to board a bus bound for the reunification center where they’ll meet their parents after a mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., Dec. 16, 2024. At least two people are dead, as well as the suspect, and others are injured, after the mass shooting, police said. (OSV News photo/Cullen Granzen, Reuters)

“This is something that we all prepare for, but we hope we never have to do,” Barnes said of the law enforcement response.

A spokesperson for the White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, and that senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison “to provide support as needed.”

In a statement, Biden called the shooting “shocking and unconscionable.”

“We need Congress to act. Now,” Biden said. “From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don’t receive attention — it is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We cannot continue to accept it as normal. Every child deserves to feel safe in their class room. Students across our country should be learning how to read and write — not having to learn how to duck and cover.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called in the past for a total ban on assault weapons, a term that refers commonly to semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols fed by ammunition magazines of various capacities. The bishops support an assault weapons’ ban similar to the one they supported in the 1994 crime bill, which Congress allowed to expire in 2004. They also support limitations on civilian access to high-capacity ammunition magazines. Other gun regulation measures the bishops support include universal background checks for all gun purchases.

Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden “are praying for all the victims today, including the teacher and teenage student who were killed and those who sustained injuries.” They expressed their gratitude to “the first responders who quickly arrived on the scene, and the FBI is supporting local law enforcement efforts.”

“We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart,” he added.

Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement, “I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.”

“We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond.”

The incident took place near the 12th anniversary of the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012, where a gunman with a semiautomatic rifle took the lives of 20 children and 6 adults. It is among the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.

Theologians and church leaders previously told OSV News that preventing gun violence is a social justice issue, and that a public policy response to gun violence representing a Catholic perspective should start by prioritizing the common good.

“We are deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and mourn for the victims of this horrible act of violence,” Bishop Donald J. Hying of the Madison Diocese said in a statement shared with OSV News.

“We stand united with the Abundant Life family and pray for healing for those who are injured and comfort for the families who are facing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one,” he said. “In these days leading up to Christmas, may the peace, love, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be an anchor for all those affected.”

A candlelight vigil is planned in Madison for Dec. 17 organized by The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County. The mayor and other city and community officials are expected to attend. 

Read More Gun Violence

Suspect arrested for murdering Minnesota lawmaker, husband

Minnesota lawmaker who once taught Catholic Sunday school shot and killed in apparent ‘politically motivated assassination’

On a day of ‘national tragedy,’ Austria mourns 9 victims of high school shooting

Catholic sisters’ ‘Put the Guns Down’ campaign hits city buses

Bishop calls for prayer after deadly attack outside DC’s Capital Jewish Museum

Mexican bishops condemn slaying of 7 young people at parish festival

Copyright © 2024 OSV News

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Kate Scanlon

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Prodigal son to priest

  • Deacon Alex Mwebaze is happy to call Maryland home

  • Deacon O’Donnell’s ‘normal’ faith life led to priestly vocation

  • Thank you to a one-of-a-kind teacher

  • Need for more Catholic Army chaplains to serve military flock as great as ever, say two priests

| Latest Local News |

Juneteenth

Juneteenth seen as day to reflect on freedom, ending racism and Black Catholics’ contributions

Deacon O’Donnell’s ‘normal’ faith life led to priestly vocation

St. Joseph Church in Fullerton

Fullerton church begins renovations

Deacon Alex Mwebaze is happy to call Maryland home

Knights of Columbus announces June 19 novena for intention of Pope Leo

| Latest World News |

Bomb Iran

Trump orders US attack on Iran nuclear sites, as Pope Leo, bishops plead for peace

Visiting Upstate New York’s National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs

Catholic Relief Services worker in Ipwizi, Tanzania

Washington Roundup: Trump weighs options in Israel-Iran conflict, CLINIC condemns expanded ICE raids

Malta in the Jubilee Year: A quieter pilgrimage of hope

JUBILEE

Finance experts launch report at Vatican on foreign debt relief

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Trump orders US attack on Iran nuclear sites, as Pope Leo, bishops plead for peace
  • We are part of the miracle
  • Visiting Upstate New York’s National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs
  • Washington Roundup: Trump weighs options in Israel-Iran conflict, CLINIC condemns expanded ICE raids
  • Malta in the Jubilee Year: A quieter pilgrimage of hope
  • Finance experts launch report at Vatican on foreign debt relief
  • Hundreds of thousands march in Poland’s Corpus Christi processions
  • Traditionalist Catholics see evangelization potential of Latin Mass
  • Juneteenth seen as day to reflect on freedom, ending racism and Black Catholics’ contributions

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED