Madison school shooting: Wounded victims now in 'fair condition'
Abundant Life Christian School, Madison
MADISON, Wis. - Two victims of the Madison school shooting are now in "fair condition," UW Health said on Tuesday. Their condition had previously been considered critical.
The update comes more than two weeks after the shooter, who police identified as 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow, opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School.
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The victims
The medical examiner's office identified 14-year-old student Rubi Vergara and 42-year-old ALCS staff member Erin West. Rupnow died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Memorial outside Abundant Life Christian School, Madison
Barbara Wiers, the school’s director of elementary and communications, said Vergara had attended the school since kindergarten. West worked as a substitute teacher for three years before accepting a position as the school's substitute coordinator and an in-building substitute teacher.
The shooting wounded four other people. Two were released from the hospital shortly after the shooting. The other two were considered to be in critical condition until Tuesday's update from UW Health.
Natalie Rupnow
Police said student Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow shot herself at the school and died at a Madison hospital. Police have said her motivation for the attack remains a key part of their investigation.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the FBI is involved and investigating a possible link between Rupnow and a man in California, who investigators said was planning his own attack on an unspecified government building.
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It was Rupnow’s first semester at ALCS, Wiers told The Associated Press. The school was working with her family on attendance, but teachers had no significant concerns, she said.
How to help
While the community tries to heal, United Way of Dane County created a fund to help the school and families recover.
If you wish to support the families, you can donate through a site set up by the United Way of Dane County. You can visit the organization's website or text Help4ALCS to 40403.