Crime
15-Year-Old Samantha “Natalie “Rupnow Identified as Suspect in Abundant Life Christian School Mass Shooting
MADISON, WISCONSIN: Authorities have identified the shooter involved in the mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School as Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old female student who reportedly went by the name “Samantha.”
The incident, which unfolded just before 11:00 a.m. on Monday, has left the Madison community reeling as law enforcement continues its investigation.
In a harrowing detail, police confirmed that the first 911 call was made by a 2nd-grade student.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes provided the following updates during a press briefing:
Casualties and Injuries: Two individuals—a student and a teacher—were killed in the attack. Two other students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while four additional victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
The shooter, Natalie Rupnow, appears to have planned the attack in advance, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case.
Investigators are currently reviewing personal writings and evidence suggesting that Rupnow had been struggling with personal challenges leading up to the incident.
Chief Barnes also confirmed that heavy police activity at a residence on Madison’s north side is directly tied to the investigation. The shooter’s parents have been fully cooperative with authorities as they work to piece together the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
Barbara Wiers, an official from Abundant Life Christian School, praised the composure and courage displayed by students during the attack.
“The students handled themselves magnificently once it became clear this was not a drill,” Wiers stated.
She commended families for their support, patience, and kindness throughout the reunification process, which police confirmed has been successfully completed.
Wiers highlighted the strength of the school community’s faith and resilience, saying, “In spite of tragedy, God is working.”
At a news conference Monday night, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes provided an update on the victims of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. He reported that two of the six injured individuals are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Both are students at the school, Barnes confirmed.
“A teacher and three students were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and two of those individuals have already been released,” Barnes added.
Chief Barnes also stated that police do not intend to pursue charges against the parents of the 15-year-old suspect involved in the shooting.
“The parents are fully cooperating, and we have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time,” Barnes said.
He emphasized that authorities are being careful to notify all family members of the victims before releasing names and ages.
“I think we want to make sure that all family members have been notified,” Barnes said, adding that it is equally important to ensure that families are comfortable with the names being made public. He suggested that additional details, including the victims’ identities, could be shared during a scheduled press briefing at 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
Abundant Life Christian School, a private K-12 institution serving approximately 390 students, does not currently have metal detectors in place. However, Wiers emphasized that the school has established security protocols to protect students and staff.
Earlier this year, the school participated in active shooter training in coordination with the Madison Police Department, a measure that may have contributed to the orderly response during Monday’s attack.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is assisting the Madison Police Department in determining how Rupnow acquired the 9mm handgun used in the attack.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the weapon belonged to someone else or was obtained illegally, but further details are expected to be shared as the investigation progresses.
Chief Barnes announced that the next police press conference will take place at 9:30 p.m. ET, where additional updates on the suspect and investigation will be provided.
Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid the area surrounding the school while investigators remain on-site.
The Madison community continues to mourn the devastating loss of life in what was intended to be a joyful final week before the Christmas holiday. Officials and local leaders have pledged to provide support and resources to grieving families, students, and staff as the community navigates this tragedy together.
The investigation remains active, and further information will be shared as it becomes available.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.