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Father of Wisconsin School Shooter Charged After Gun Used In Attack Was Gifted to Teen

Charlie Kirk Staff

05/09/2025

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Father of Wisconsin School Shooter Charged After Gun Used In Attack Was Gifted to Teen

The father of a 15-year-old girl who opened fire at a Christian school in Wisconsin last December is now facing felony charges for enabling her access to the firearm used in the deadly shooting, reports the New York Times.

Jeffrey Rupnow, 42, was charged after investigators discovered he had gifted the handgun to his daughter, Natalie Rupnow, as a Christmas present in 2023. According to a criminal complaint unsealed after his arrest, authorities allege he allowed her access to the weapon that was ultimately used to kill two people and injure six others at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.

Natalie carried out the shooting during a study hall on December 16, 2024, killing 14-year-old classmate Rubi Bergara and teacher Erin Michelle West before turning the gun on herself. Police recovered both a Sig Sauer pistol and a 9 mm Glock at the scene.

The complaint states that Jeffrey Rupnow was aware of potential risks before the shooting occurred. In a message sent to a friend shortly beforehand, he wrote that his daughter “would shoot [him]” if he left “the fun safe open right now.” The complaint also alleges that Natalie had built a cardboard model of the school in planning the attack.

Jeffrey Rupnow has been charged with two felony counts: giving a dangerous weapon to a minor resulting in death, and contributing to the delinquency of a child. He is currently in custody at Dane County Jail and was scheduled to appear in court Friday. Officials said he has been cooperative during the investigation.

Police say the teen had been dealing with personal issues, including her parents’ divorce. The school, a private religious institution, serves students from pre-K through 12th grade.

This case is the latest in a growing trend of parents being charged after school shootings involving their children. The parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.

Charlie is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, which regularly ranks among the top-10 news shows on Apple podcast news charts, and is the host of the nationally syndicated daily radio show on the Salem Radio Network live from 12 - 3 PM ET.
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