The two individuals who lost their lives in Monday’s shooting at Madison, Wisconsin’s Abundant Life Christian School—teacher Erin M. West, 42, and student Rubi P. Vergara, 14—have received tributes.
Our hearts are heavy with these losses, the school added in a separate statement, while the Dane County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed their identities in a news release Wednesday night.
According to authorities, the accused shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, also known as Samantha, was a freshman at the school and died on the way to the hospital on Monday after apparently injuring herself with a gunshot wound.
For Erin West’s work, ALCS is a superior institution. According to the school’s statement, she enveloped herself in an embrace and smiled as she shared her love of Jesus and people with our staff and school family.
Before accepting a full-time staff position as an in-house substitute teacher and coordinator, which was specifically designed for her extensive skill set and depth of knowledge, West worked as a substitute teacher for three years, according to the school.
She provided insight, humor, grace, and—above all—the love of Jesus to our instructors and students. According to the statement, her loss is profound and agonizing, and our entire ALCS family—not just our employees—will mourn her terribly.
Rubi Vergara, a ninth-grader who had attended the school since kindergarten, was said to be well-liked and a willing volunteer.
Her smile was a reflection of her kind, compassionate, and loving nature. Rubi was a gift to our school and her class. According to the school, she was a wonderful big sister in addition to being a nice friend.
She had a talent for music and painting and was frequently spotted with a book. Rubi’s love for Jesus, however, was what really shone through, and she consistently volunteered to spread that love to others. According to the statement, her instructors and fellow classmates will miss her terribly.
According to a local funeral home’s online obituary, Vergara enjoyed singing, playing keyboard in her family’s worship band, and creating art. According to the obituary, she had a unique affinity with her cherished pets, Coco (dog) and Ginger (cat).
According to the funeral home, Vergara’s service will be livestreamed online on Saturday at 11 a.m. CST (12 a.m. ET).
The shooting is still being investigated by the police.The four individuals who were treated at the hospital for minor injuries sustained in the shooting have been released, according to authorities Wednesday night, while the two unnamed students who suffered life-threatening injuries are still in a nearby hospital.
According to the police, the gunman started fire at a mixed-grade school study hall in a second-floor classroom.
According to investigators, only one of the two firearms discovered at the school was used in the shooting.
Police stated that they were trying to determine a motive and that they were aware of the suspect’s purported social media activity as well as unconfirmed documents and images that were making the rounds online.
Detectives want to speak to any who may have interacted with Rupnow in the days or weeks before the shooting they can contact police anonymously through Madison Area Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com or by calling 608-266-6014.
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