Madison school shooter's motive a top priority as investigation continues, victims still not identified

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Tragedy hit the city of Madison Monday, creating a frantic search for answers after a 15-year-old girl walked into Abundant Life Christian School Dec. 16, opened fire on teachers and her classmates, and then killed herself. 

The incident happened just before 11 a.m. Monday. Police identified the shooter as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who also went by Samantha. Police say Rupnow shot herself at the scene and died in an ambulance on the way to a Madison hospital. 

A handgun was recovered from the scene and police are working to find out how it was obtained. 

During a press conference Tuesday, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said, "We are certainly speaking and talking with the parents who are cooperating to determine if they are gun owners, and they had guns."

Barnes left the briefing without taking questions, and so did a school administrator. So unanswered questions remain about how the shooter got the gun, what her father is telling authorities, and how she was treated at school.

Authorities would not confirm the names of the teacher and student who were killed, even as the community held vigils in their memory and planned many more.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at Tuesday's briefing, "Today, three families woke up this morning to a world without a loved one."

Six other students and another teacher were injured in the shooting, including two students with life-threatening injuries.

The status of the surviving victims had not changed Tuesday. 

And Barnes corrected something he said the day before: the initial 911 call was made by a 2nd grade teacher, not a student, as he first said Monday after the shooting.

Chief Barnes said identifying a motive is their top priority. Officials are investigating Rupnow's online activity and asking anyone who may have information or insights on her feelings to contact Crime Stoppers at 606-266-6014 or use the P3 Tips app. 

There is currently a document spreading on social media that some are claiming is a manifesto of sorts written by the shooter, but that has not been confirmed. Chief Barnes said they are aware of the document, and they are looking into it, but right now they cannot confirm it was created by the shooter. 

"At this time, it appears the motive was a combination of factors," Chief Barnes said. "Again, we cannot share that information at this time because we do not want to jeopardize the investigation and those who are currently cooperating with us."

Monday afternoon, investigators zoned in on a residence about 15 minutes away from the school and started searching inside. A neighbor told CBS 58, the 15-year-old suspected shooter and her father lived in the home. CBS 58 spoke with neighbors who said it was a frightening sight as a SWAT team pulled up and they heard a lot of booms and saw snipers. 

One neighbor -- who wishes to remain anonymous -- told CBS 58 he knew the family, and that Rupnow and her father were always nice people. He said he was horrified to find out the young girl could commit such a terrible crime. 

"We had interacted with her; she was a kind person. She helped with our animals one time when we needed someone to come by," the neighbor said. 

One thing is clear -- the neighborhood and community are heartbroken such a travesty happened so close to home.

"I just can't believe this happened in Madison," said neighbor Jackie Walker. "I can't believe this poor young girl did this. It's really sad, very sad."

Neighbors say they're horrified yet another school shooting happened, and this time, so close to home.

"I am very surprised it happened here, but it was inevitable it would happen somewhere," said neighbor Rick Petershack.

Many people say they're worried for their children and grandchildren to go back to school, a place where they say kids should feel safe.

"It's not just the people who are shot and hurt," said Petershack. "It's the people in the school, it's the people in the community, it's ordinary kids who hear about it and wonder, is my school safe?"

Chief Barnes had an emotional message to share during the news conference Tuesday, saying the incident will not define the city.

"As a community, we must not allow violence or any act of violence to define us. We refuse to allow hate or destruction to win in this city, but rather we will honor our survivors, our victims, through love, support -- the Madison way," Chief Barnes said. 

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said, "Every single one of us has been impacted in an unimaginable reality."

While Abundant Life remained closed Tuesday, Madison's public schools were open for classes.

Agard said many families still kept their children home the day after the shooting, but her son went to his school.

"It was hard for him to get up and go to school today," she said.

And once students were at school, several swatting calls throughout the day forced some of them into lockdown.

Agard said, "And that was triggering, not only to him and his peers, but to family members and educators."

The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Office of School and Safety and the Dane County Crime Stoppers program are offering services for victims and those affected by this.

Contributions made to this story by CBS 58's Adam Rife, Andie Bernhardt, and Kathryn Merck.