The Madison Police Department in Wisconsin announced on Thursday that Jeffrey Rupnow, the father of 15-year-old Abundant Life Christian School shooter Natalie Rupnow, was arrested early in the morning on charges related to his alleged role in the shooting that occurred on December 16, 2024.
Jeffrey Rupnow, 42, was arrested at about 3:45 a.m., MPD announced Thursday, revealing the father was charged with one count of contributing to the delinquency of a child, and two counts of providing a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 resulting in death.
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor with death as a consequence is considered a Class D felony in Wisconsin, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision. The charges brought for allegedly providing his daughter with the weapons used in the shooting could additionally result in three-year prison sentences, meaning Jeffrey Rupnow faces up to 21 years in prison plus years of supervised release.
The department confirmed during a Thursday press conference that Jeffrey Rupnow was cooperating with detectives, before confirming the “War Against Humanity” manifesto published to X by Reduxx founder Anna Slatz last December, and attributed to Natalie Rupnow, was in fact written by the killer.
“We may never fully understand that motive. We do know the teen had a fascination with weapons and school shootings. She often talked about them with people she met online, people all across the world,” said Madison Police Acting Chief John Patterson, before confirming the authenticity of the manifesto.
Patterson added that police recovered items from the Rupnow family home which, “would have led any average person to the concern of violence.”
He additionally revealed that Jeffrey Rupnow allegedly gifted his daughter both weapons she brought to the Abundant Life School last year, and that the father planned to gift his daughter a third weapon prior to the attack.
The acting police chief also provided new details of Natalie Rupnow’s schedule on the day of the shooting, revealing that she had overslept and used a ride share service to arrange transportation to school. Natalie Rupnow then launched the attack, killing two and injuring six more.
Asked by the press why police required nearly six months to arrest Jeffrey Rupnow and confirm the manifesto was written by Natalie Rupnow, Patterson cited the thorough nature of the investigation.
“It’s been a very thorough, lengthy, and partial investigation. It’s taken us time to get this close,” said Patterson, adding that the department is “very proud of the investigative work that’s transpired.”
Patterson also acknowledged that Natalie Rupnow expressed an intense interest in school shootings, which she shared with individuals she met on the Internet.
Since the attack, law enforcement agencies as far away as California and Florida have contacted individuals who allegedly communicated with the killer prior to her attack.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jeffery Rupnow” by Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
