Wisconsin is reeling after authorities revealed the identities of the victims killed in the terrifying shooting that tore through two local schools, leaving families shattered and a community begging for change. The tragedy unfolded across multiple locations in Mount Horeb and Madison, where a 14-year-old student opened fire and unleashed carnage that parents, teachers and first responders are calling “the darkest day in Wisconsin school history.”
Officials confirmed the victims as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow and 11-year-old Sawyer Larson, two young students whose lives ended in unthinkable violence. Their names were released following frantic hours of police investigation, campus lockdowns and mass confusion as conflicting reports flooded social media. Coverage from outlets including CNN and NBC News tracked the unfolding horror minute by minute.
The Victims: Two Young Lives Cut Short
Natalie Rupnow, a bright and talented teen from Mount Horeb High School, was described by classmates as “the sweetest person you could meet” and “a girl who lit up every hallway.” She was heavily involved in school activities, sports and youth ministries. Her friends shared tributes online, calling her smile “unforgettable.”
Eleven-year-old Sawyer Larson was a student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, caught in the violence during what should have been a regular school day. Teachers remembered him as “playful, curious and kind,” a kid who loved recess, Legos and making his friends laugh.
Vigils for both children are already being planned by church groups, community centers and youth organizations. Local mental health counselors and school psychologists are mobilizing to help classmates process the devastating loss.
The medical examiner in Madison, Wisconsin, has identified the two victims who lost their lives in this week’s shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.
The victims were 14-year-old Rubi P. Vergara, a student from Madison, and 42-year-old Erin M. West, a resident of DeForest,… pic.twitter.com/1JeXhgnx3f
— Crime With Bobby (@CrimeWithBobby) December 19, 2024
The Shooter: A 14-Year-Old With a Weapon
The suspect, only 14 years old, has not been publicly named due to his age. Police say he opened fire outside Mount Horeb High School before fleeing and later continuing the violence near Madison-area locations, ultimately leading to the death of Sawyer during the subsequent police response.
Parents reported hearing multiple rounds echoing across the neighborhood. Students described sprinting for their lives as alarms blared and teachers shouted for everyone to get down. Early investigative reports shared through Madison.com reveal the teen was armed with a rifle, though authorities have not released details on how he obtained the weapon.
Police Response Under Scrutiny
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes faced a barrage of questions during a tense press conference, acknowledging the “unprecedented complexity” of the situation. According to Barnes, officers confronted the suspect near Abundant Life Christian School, and during that confrontation, young Sawyer was struck and killed.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Barnes said, calling the loss of both children “an unimaginable blow to two communities.” He also stated that multiple investigations are now underway, including a full internal review of the officer-involved shooting. Coverage of Barnes’ statements spread rapidly through outlets like Fox News, amplifying public demand for transparency.
Parents are now asking hard questions: Were officers properly positioned? Was the pursuit handled correctly? Could Sawyer have been saved? Residents say they will not stop pushing until they get answers.
BREAKING NOW: At Least 5 Dead & 7 Injured At Wisconsin Christian School Shooting
Juvenile Suspected Shooter Is Neutralized
» TUNE IN HERE FOR THE LATEST NEWS:https://t.co/iRbKT1cEXq pic.twitter.com/b5oaQqtEt3
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) December 16, 2024
Schools Locked Down, Parents in Panic
As shots rang out, both Mount Horeb High School and Abundant Life Christian School went into immediate lockdown. Students huddled in dark classrooms, crying, sending frantic texts and praying for the ordeal to end. One freshman told reporters, “I thought it was the end. I thought we were all going to die.”
Parents raced to the scene only to be held back by police, creating a chaotic, emotional standoff in parking lots and along blocked roads. Social media became a frantic hotline of rumor, fear and desperate attempts to get information. Community reports documented by WiscNews show hundreds of unanswered calls flooding 911 dispatch during the peak of the crisis.
The Investigation: What Happened and Why?
State and federal authorities are now conducting a multilayered investigation into:
- The shooter’s motive
- How the teen obtained a firearm
- Whether earlier warning signs were missed
- The chain of events between Mount Horeb and Madison
- The circumstances surrounding Sawyer’s fatal shooting during police engagement
The Wisconsin Department of Justice confirmed that body cam footage and surveillance video are being reviewed. Experts from Law & Crime say the case could become one of the state’s most high-profile juvenile criminal proceedings in decades.
Community Grief Turns Into Outrage
Parents, activists and community leaders are furious. Some blame gun access. Others blame school security lapses. Still others point to gaps in mental health resources for youth. Protests and candlelight rallies are already being organized, with advocacy groups like Sandy Hook Promise issuing statements calling for immediate policy reforms.
Online tributes to Natalie and Sawyer continue to pour in. A memorial page on Facebook hit thousands of comments within hours. TikTok users are sharing videos dedicated to the young victims, and local churches are preparing to open their doors for round-the-clock grieving sessions.
“Two children gone. One child shooter. A shattered community.”
That’s how one devastated parent summarized the tragedy.
The city of Madison – and all of Wisconsin – is now grappling with the horrifying reality that two young lives were stolen in a matter of minutes. And while the investigation pushes forward, families are left trying to piece their world back together.
For now, candles burn, tears flow and questions hang heavy in the air. The community refuses to let Natalie and Sawyer be forgotten. And they refuse to let this tragedy pass without demanding the full truth.