Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, the 15-year-old who killed two people and injured six others in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, had been in therapy due to a turbulent home life with her parents, who repeatedly divorced and remarried, court records reveal.
Rupnow, who died by suicide after the attack, was often caught in a custody arrangement that alternated her living situation every few days.
Her parents, Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow, married in 2011 after Natalie’s birth but divorced in 2014. They later remarried in 2017, only to divorce again in 2020, and briefly remarried a third time before splitting in 2021. Custody agreements saw Natalie shuttled between their homes, creating instability.
By age 12, Natalie was attending therapy sessions to address her home life and determine custody arrangements.
Records show her mother had prior marriages and another daughter, while her father, a devout Christian, often shared posts celebrating Natalie’s achievements, including her interest in shooting sports.
On Monday, Rupnow opened fire in a study hall at the small K-12 Christian school, killing a substitute teacher and a teenager while wounding five others, two of whom remain in critical condition. The victims have not yet been identified, and police are investigating her motive.
Rupnow is among only nine female school shooters since 1999, a rarity in mass shootings. Her case also highlights her younger-than-average age compared to typical school shooters.
