A teacher and student were fatally shot in a Wisconsin Christian school: What to know about the victims
Police are yet to officially name the two following a second press conference on Tuesday
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A student and a teacher were killed during the deadly shooting that occurred at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday in Madison, Wisconsin.
Police held a follow-up press conference on Tuesday afternoon, but are still yet to officially name the two.
The shooter – previously identified by police as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow – also died during the incident from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Here’s what we do know about the victims so far:
Who are the victims?
As of Tuesday morning, the only information to be officially released by police was that one was a student and one was a teacher.
Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said authorities “don’t know” whether the pair were singled out by Rupnow, or whether they were simply caught up in the violence, adding that the shooter’s motivation may have been a “combination of factors.”
The shooting took place inside a study hall room where students of multiple grades were present.
Who is the student killed?
At this stage the name or age of the student who was killed is unknown.
It is also known if they were known to Rupnow.
Who is the teacher killed?
At this stage the name and age of the teacher who was killed is unknown.
Their connection to Rupnow is also unknown.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Barnes said: “The Madison police department is committed to transparency and will continue to release information that can be used to improve public safety. This must be balanced against our commitment to the victims of this horrific crime and the need to do a thorough and complete investigation.
“I ask for you to keep the victims in your mind and respect their right to a thorough investigation.”
Were there other victims?
Six other people were injured in the shooting and were taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.
Two were initially taken to the hospital in critical condition, with life-threatening injuries, while the other four sustained non-life-threatening wounds, according to the Madison Police Department
In an update on Monday, police chief Shon Barnes said that two of the four who sustained lesser injuries had been released from the hospital. Staff also confirmed that the other two remained in “stable condition.”
Psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers were on hand to support victims on Monday, the hospital said in a statement.
A substitute teacher was one of the wounded, police said on Tuesday.
“We don’t know if there would be a reason to target a (substitute) teacher, in this case, who doesn’t have significant ties to the school,” Barnes told CNN.