Crime
20-year-old Alexander Paffendorf Detained for Alleged Coordinated Mass Shooting Plot with ALCS suspect Natalie Rupnow
During an FBI interview, Paffendorf admitted to FBI agents that he told Rupnow he would arm himself with explosives and a gun and target a government building.
Authorities have detained a 20-year-old California man, Alexander Paffendorf, in connection with the tragic school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Investigators believe Paffendorf may have coordinated with the shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, in planning a series of violent attacks.
According to a gun violence restraining order issued by the Carlsbad Police Department, Paffendorf and Rupnow reportedly exchanged messages about simultaneous attacks.
Rupnow carried out the shooting at the Wisconsin school on Monday, while Paffendorf allegedly planned to target a government building in California.
The restraining order stated:
“During an FBI interview, Paffendorf admitted to FBI agents that he told Rupnow he would arm himself with explosives and a gun and target a government building.”
The order did not specify which government building Paffendorf allegedly planned to attack or the exact contents of the messages exchanged between the two.
On Tuesday evening, just hours after the Madison shooting, a San Diego judge approved an emergency restraining order under California’s red flag gun law.
The order requires Paffendorf to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement within 48 hours.
California’s red flag law allows authorities to restrict access to firearms when individuals are deemed a threat to public safety.
Authorities are investigating the alleged communications between Rupnow and Paffendorf to gain insight into Rupnow’s motive for the school shooting.
The attack left two people dead—14-year-old Rubi P. Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin West—and six others injured. Rupnow died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are working to piece together the details of the alleged coordinated plot.
The case highlights the increasing use of red flag laws to prevent potential threats and underscores the challenges of addressing coordinated acts of violence.
Further updates are expected as investigators review the communications and gather additional evidence to understand the extent of the alleged collaboration.
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.