Motive “combination of factors” in Wisconsin school shooting, police say

Police say the motive for a shooting that left two people dead in addition to the suspect at a private school in Wisconsin appears to be due to “a combination of factors.”

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes gave no details Tuesday about what allegedly led a 15-year-old girl, named by authorities as Natalie Rupnow, to shoot at Abundant Life Christian School in the city of Madison.

Six people were also injured in Monday’s shooting. It is believed that Rupnow died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Chief Barnes said during a news conference that investigators would urge anyone who knew the suspect to come forward with information.

“Identifying a motive is our top priority at this time,” he said. “But at this point it appears that the motive was a combination of factors.”

“We ask anyone who knew her or may have insight into her emotions leading up to yesterday to please contact Madison-area Crime Stoppers.”

As part of the investigation, police are examining the suspect’s social media.

Chief Barnes said investigators would also speak with students at Abundant Life Christian School to determine whether bullying may have been a factor.

The condition of the injured victims has not changed since Monday night. Two people are in life-threatening condition and two are in stable condition in hospital. Two others have left the hospital.

The two victims who were shot were a teenage student and a teacher. None of the victims were named by authorities.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said officials will share information whenever they can.

“It is absolutely none of your business who was harmed in this incident,” she said during a heated exchange following the reporter’s question during the press conference.

“Please show some human decency and respect to those who have lost loved ones or been hurt themselves or whose children have been hurt.”

Chief Barnes also clarified Tuesday that the 911 call reporting the shooting came from a second-grader, not a second-grader as previously stated.

He apologized for the error and said he had misread a police report about the incident.

He also said that on Tuesday morning there were numerous schools in the area that were targeted by hoaxes known as swatting. Police do not believe there is a current threat to these schools.

“As a community, we cannot allow violence or acts of violence to define us,” he said.

“We refuse to let hate and destruction prevail in this city, but rather we will honor our survivors, our victims through love and support the Madison way.”