‘Combination of factors’ motive in Wisconsin school shooting, police say

Police say a “combination of factors” appears to be the motive behind the shooting that left two people dead, along with the suspect, at a private school in Wisconsin.

Madison Police Chief Sean Barnes did not provide details Tuesday about what is believed to have led a 15-year-old girl, identified by authorities as Natalie Rupnow, to open fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison Township.

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

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

“Right now, identifying a motive is our top priority,” he said. “But at this point it appears the motive is a combination of factors.”

“We are asking anyone who knew her or may have an idea of ​​how she was feeling before yesterday to contact Crime Stoppers in the Madison area.”

Police are reviewing the suspect’s social media as part of the investigation.

Superintendent Barnes said investigators are also speaking with students at Abundant Life Christian School to see if bullying may have been a factor.

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

The two victims who were shot were a teenager and a teacher. None of the victims have been named by authorities.

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

“It’s absolutely none of your business who gets hurt in this incident,” she said during a heated exchange after being asked a question by a reporter during the press conference.

“Please have some human decency and respect for people who have lost loved ones or have been injured themselves or whose children have been injured.

Superintendent Barnes also clarified Tuesday that the 911 call reporting the shooting came from a second-grade teacher, not a second-grade student, as previously stated.

He apologized for the mistake and said he had misread the police log of the incident.

He also said there were many schools in the area that were targeted by hoax threats, known as hit-and-run, on Tuesday morning. Police do not believe there are any threats to these schools at this time.

“As a community we must not allow violence or any act of violence to define us,” he said.

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