Update on Abundant Life School shooting (MADISON)
Officials provided more information on Tuesday in the Abundant Life School shooting. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said investigators are working to verify a document some on social media are referring to as a manifesto written by the shooter, 15-year old student Natalie Rupnow. Barnes said the process for doing that incudes looking at original documents that may have been taken from the suspect’s home, looking at information that may be on laptops or on computer to determine if the document originated from the suspect. Barnes also clarified that the original 9-1-1 call came from a 2nd grade teacher, not a 2nd grade student. Monday’s shooting at the private K-12 school on Madison’s east side killed three, including the shooter. Chief Barnes said identifying a motive is their top priority.
‘”Have some human decency” – mayor defends victims’ privacy (MADISON)
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway is defending the privacy of victims of the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. As a 45 minute press conference wound down on Tuesday, the mayor pushed back against reporters who pressed for victims’ names. The mayor said it was none of the reporters’ business who was harmed. She asked for ” some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones or were injured themselves, or whose children were injured.” Three people died in Monday’s shooting, but so far only the shooter, 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow, has been identified. Another teenage student and a teacher also died. Seven others were wounded including two students hospitalized with life threatening injuries.
Recovery fund set up for victims of Abundant Life shooting (MADISON)
The Madison Community Foundation and the United Way of Dane County have set up the “Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund” to provide immediate and long-term support. The Monday morning shooting killed three people, including the shooter 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow. A teacher and a teenage student were also killed, and six other people were injured. You can contribute to the recovery fund by texting “HELP4ALCS” to 40403.
Wisconsin electors cast vote for Trump and Vance (MADISON)
Wisconsin’s electoral votes are cast for Donald Trump. Republican electors were in a congratulatory mood at the Capitol on Tuesday. State party chair Brian Schimming credited the party’s effort to support President-elect Donald Trump, giving a Republican the win here for just the third time since 1980, calling it “a historic moment for Wisconsin.” Former Governor Tommy Thompson credited the president-elect for listening to his advice on how to win in Wisconsin. Thompson, Schimming and eight other Wisconsin Republicans cast the state’s ten electoral votes for Donald Trump for president and J.D. Vance for vice-president. The action was in contrast to 2020, when a slate of Republicans also met at the Capitol to vote for Trump, despite his loss in the state to President Joe Biden. That controversial move is the subject of ongoing action in the courts.
Schabusiness faces new charges for alleged prison attack (FOND DU LAC)
A convicted killer is facing new charges from an attack in prison. Fond Du Lac County prosecutors accuse Taylor Schabusiness of attacking a correctional officer at Taycheedah Prison this summer. Schabusiness was convicted in 2022 of killing and sexually assaulting a man in a drug induced attack. She allegedly attacked a warden and a nurse while getting treatment at the prison’s clinic. Officers say they had to use pepper spray to get Schabusiness back under control. Schabusiness is already serving a life sentence for murder.
Man’s body recovered from Little Lake Butte de Mortes (MENASHA)
A missing man’s body is recovered from a Menasha area lake. Winnebago County deputies say the body of 63-year-old Kurt Stadtmueller was found near his partially submerged vehicle Monday night. Stadtmueller was last seen in Appleton on December 11th, and his truck may have fallen through the ice on Little Lake Butte des Mortes that same day. His cause of death remains under investigation.
WisDOJ investigates NW Wisconsin officer involved shooting (WEBSTER)
The state Justice Department is investigating an officer involved shooting in northwestern Wisconsin. A St. Croix Tribal Police officer shot and wounded a person Monday night. The officer was responding to a domestic disturbance call in Webster and found a man brandishing a knife at the scene. No one else was injured in the incident, and the man who was shot is at a Minnesota hospital for treatment. The Division of Criminal Investigation says there was body camera footage of the incident, which will be part of its investigation.
DNR seeking Ethical Hunter Award nominees (UNDATED)
Nominees are selected based on exceptional moral actions and character while out in the field. Examples can include helping other hunters find lost game, assisting new hunters, or protecting natural resources. Any hunter or non-hunter can be nominated for their actions during the 2024 calendar year. Established in 1997, the award recognizes a person whose action is symbolic of Wisconsin’s hunting heritage. Nominations will be reviewed by a five-person committee and can be submitted by mail or email by January 31st.