Funerals Planned for Victims of Wisconsin School Shooting

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Funerals Planned for Victims of Wisconsin School Shooting \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, is grappling with the tragic loss of student Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, and teacher Erin West, 42, after a 15-year-old student opened fire on campus, killing them and injuring two others before dying by suicide. Funerals for the victims are set for Saturday and Monday, while authorities, with FBI support, investigate the shooter’s motives. The community has rallied around the school, offering support and mourning the victims’ profound loss.

Wisconsin School Shooting: Quick Looks

The Victims: Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, and Erin West, 42, lost their lives in the tragic attack.
Shooter: Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, 15, brought two handguns to school and later died by suicide.
Community Impact: Alumni and local residents are organizing support efforts, including meals and gift cards for affected families.
School’s Tribute: Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) described both victims as irreplaceable blessings to their community.
Ongoing Investigation: Authorities, with FBI assistance, are reviewing the shooter’s interactions and online activity to determine a motive.

Deep Look

A Community in Mourning

Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS), a nondenominational Christian institution in Madison, Wisconsin, is reeling from the devastating events of Monday’s school shooting. The tragedy claimed the lives of 14-year-old student Rubi Patricia Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin West. The shooter, 15-year-old student Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, brought two handguns to the school and took her own life following the attack.

Two additional students remain hospitalized in critical condition as the school and broader community mourn the victims and grapple with the senseless violence that shattered their close-knit environment.

Funerals and Tributes for the Victims

Funeral arrangements have been made for both victims. Rubi Vergara’s funeral will take place on Saturday at City Church, located next to the school, while Erin West’s service is scheduled for Monday at Doxa Church, where she was a member.

West, a beloved teacher and mother of three daughters, had worked at ALCS for four years. Her obituary highlights her dedication to her family, students, and faith community. She was known for her enthusiasm for camping, supporting school events, and spending time with her family. The school released a heartfelt statement praising her contributions:

“ALCS is a better school for the work of Erin West. She served our teachers and students with grace, humor, wisdom, and — most importantly — with the love of Jesus.”

West initially served as a substitute teacher before taking on a full-time position coordinating substitutes and assisting in classrooms. Her dedication and warmth left a lasting impact on her colleagues and students.

Rubi Vergara, a freshman at ALCS, was remembered for her artistic talent, love of music, and kind-hearted nature. Her obituary notes her passion for reading and her role in her family’s worship band, where she played keyboard. The school described her as a gentle soul who brightened the lives of those around her.

“Rubi was not only a good friend but a great big sister. She had a gift for art and music and was often seen with a book in hand,” the school said in a tribute.

Investigation Into the Shooter’s Motive

The shooter, Natalie Rupnow, had reportedly been involved in online conversations with a man in California about planning a mass shooting. According to a restraining order issued against the man earlier this week, the two discussed targeting a government building with guns and explosives. The man, a 20-year-old from Carlsbad, California, was ordered to surrender his firearms, though authorities have not confirmed whether he complied.

Investigators, with the support of the FBI, are reviewing Rupnow’s online activity, interactions, and family background to uncover her motive. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes noted that Rupnow had two handguns at the time of the attack but declined to disclose how she obtained them, citing the ongoing investigation.

Rupnow’s parents, who shared custody of their daughter, have been cooperating with authorities. Online records show no criminal history for her father or mother, who are divorced, but Rupnow primarily lived with her father.

Community Efforts to Support Families

The tragedy has mobilized the ALCS community and alumni, many of whom are coordinating support for the victims’ families. Adam Rostad, a former ALCS student whose family helped establish the school, has taken the lead in organizing aid. Rostad said over 400 people have offered to provide meals, gift cards, or other support.

“Even though I’m not a ‘church person’ anymore, ALCS is family,” Rostad said. “Bullets don’t really care what your faith is, or if you have one. They really don’t.”

The school, which serves about 420 students from prekindergarten through high school, has emphasized its commitment to fostering healing and supporting its grieving community.

A Broader Call for Healing

The loss of Rubi Vergara and Erin West is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools. While ALCS has rallied to support affected families, the community faces a long road to recovery. Tributes to the victims have emphasized their kindness, creativity, and deep connections to the ALCS family, underscoring the void left by their untimely deaths.

As the investigation continues, the tragedy also highlights the broader challenges of addressing school safety and mental health. The ALCS community remains united in its faith and commitment to honoring the memories of those lost.