14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara, a freshman at Abundant Life Christian School, and 42-year-old Erin West, a teacher at the school, have been identified as the victims who were tragically killed on-site during the December 16 school shooting in Madison.
Vicente and Jennifer (Remus) Vergara gave birth to daughter Rubi Patricia Vergara on March 17, 2010, in Madison, Wisconsin. As highlighted in her obituary, Rubi was a student at Abundant Life Christian School and enjoyed reading and art, as well as singing and playing the keyboard in her family's praise band. 'She shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog).'
A funeral service for Rubi will be held at City Church on Saturday, December 21. The service will also be available via live stream on Rubi’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com.
The gunman was identified as 15-year-old Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow, a student at the school who injured six others before killing herself. According to a statement issued by the Madison Police Department on Wednesday, two kids remain in the hospital with critical injuries, while four others with less severe injuries have been released.
More about the killing of Rubi Patricia Vergara
According to CCN, the shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, used a handgun during the attack, which was found at the scene along with a second weapon that wasn't used. Authorities are investigating the origins of these firearms with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
While it’s too early to say whether the shooter’s parents will face criminal charges, the Madison Mayor indicated that investigators are looking into whether any parental negligence played a role. The parents have reportedly been cooperating with authorities, though no charges have been filed against them at this time.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes stated in an interview:
"The shooter made a decision to walk into that study hall with mixed high school students and open fire.Everyone in that room had an equal chance of dying that day.”
According to the Associated Press, Rubi Patricia Vergara's shooter, Natalie Rupnow, had been in communication with a man in California, who was allegedly plotting his own mass-shooting attack on a government building, as outlined in court documents released Wednesday.
President Joe Biden issued a statement regarding the shooting on the official white house website. The statement urged on Congress to take immediate action to address the ongoing gun violence epidemic in the United States, particularly in schools.
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“From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don’t receive attention – it is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence,” Biden said in a statement Monday.
He voiced dissatisfaction with the inability to protect children from such violence. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for action to prevent further school shootings.
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