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:
โDuring 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.โ
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 Californiaโs red flag gun law.
The order requires Paffendorf to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement within 48 hours.
Californiaโs 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 Rupnowโs motive for the school shooting.
The attack left two people deadโ14-year-old Rubi P. Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin Westโand 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
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Motherโs Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO โ A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicagoโs Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnsonโs boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the motherโs boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.