Since identifying the 15-year-old Madison school shooter and unpacking details about the tragedy when it first occurred, officials have revealed that the suspect had allegedly plotted an attack with a Carlsbad man.
An FBI investigation uncovered a new fact about Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, the teenage shooter who attacked the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. She had reportedly been in contact with a 20-year-old man from Carlsbad, California named Alexander Paffendorf, who planned a mass shooting at a local government building.
FBI agents acted swiftly with the information, accusing and serving Paffendorf with a civil gun violence restraining order, which allowed authorities to seize weapons from his possession.
The restraining order, which CBS 8 obtained, detailed an alarming admission made by Paffendorf during an FBI interview, where he confessed to proposing an attack involving explosives and firearms.
Messages exchanged between Paffendorf and Rupnow, reviewed by federal agents, further substantiated these claims. The swift judicial response came late Tuesday evening, December 17, with a San Diego Superior Court judge approving the order at 8:51 p.m.
Shortly after, Paffendorf’s Carlsbad residence became the site of a significant police operation. One of Paffendorf’s neighbors, Alex Gallegos, reported seeing about 15 police officers with “full guns out all over the street.” He also mentioned that officers carried out a “black gun box” from the property.
A police man outside of Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow’s home in Madison, Wisconsin on December 17, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on the tense scene, Gallegos described the situation as “wild and scary,” emphasizing how unsettling it was to have such an incident occur so close to home. “I didn’t see them arrest anybody, but they gave high-fives as it came to an end,” added the neighbor.
Two police officers. | Source: Getty Images
While the FBI has deferred comments to the Madison Police Department, CBS 8 has noted that their report on the story will be updated as more information becomes available.
The protective order against Paffendorf came just two days after Rupnow’s deadly attack in Madison, where she killed two individuals and injured six others, two of whom remained hospitalized Wednesday, before taking her own life.
Crime scene tape surrounds Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin on December 17, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The identities of the two people whose lives were tragically cut short by the school shooting have been released by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
One victim was a dedicated teacher and the other was a promising ninth grader. They both leave behind legacies of love, talent, and devotion that have deeply impacted their school community.
The 42-year-old educator, Erin Michelle West, lived in DeForest, Wisconsin, and was a beloved figure at Abundant Life Christian School. Having initially served as a substitute teacher for three years, she had recently taken on the role of substitute coordinator.
Known for her compassionate nature and her ability to connect with students, West was described by seventh grader Angel Brube as “kind and caring” and an excellent communicator.
Sophomore Mackynzie Wilson, who saw West just hours before the tragedy, recalled her teacher’s infectious enthusiasm for life, and her deep love for her daughters, whose futures she was very excited about.
“She would have done anything for them… I just wish I could’ve gone back and given her a hug,” shared Wilson. West’s demise has left a palpable void in the hearts of those who knew her.
Rubi Patricia Vergara, the 14-year-old freshman who was killed, was a student full of artistic promise and joy. Known for her love of art, music, and animals, Vergara played the keyboard in her family’s worship band and shared a deep bond with her pets, Ginger the cat and Coco the dog.
Her obituary highlighted that she was an “avid reader” who cherished creating and expressing herself through art. According to CNN and the late student’s online obituary, there will be a funeral service for Vergara in Madison this Saturday (December 21), followed by her burial at Roselawn Memorial Park.
