Fact Check: Did Natalie Rupnow Receive a Gun from Her Parents for Her 15th Birthday?
3 min read
Image via X
Following the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow was identified as the suspect, questions have emerged surrounding how the teenager obtained a firearm. Social media has been flooded with speculation, particularly claims that Rupnow’s parents gifted her a gun on her 15th birthday. But are these claims accurate? Here’s what we know so far.
🚨 JUST IN: The Christian school shootėr is 15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, according to multiple reports
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 16, 2024
Part of the manifesto was posted by Rupnow prior to the shootıng, and it expresses radical feminist ideologies
“Every single male must be wiped out, from babies to the… pic.twitter.com/kkB6PJc0j7
Social Media Speculation
Soon after Natalie Rupnow’s name was revealed in connection to the shooting, various social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), saw a surge of theories and questions regarding the source of the weapon.
One user wrote: “Natalie Rupnow was gifted a gun. She was also taught to hate men. Where did she learn this?” Another post added: “The father trained his daughter in gun handling. She in turn killed a student and teacher before killing herself today in Madison, Wisconsin.” A third person questioned, “Were her parents THAT oblivious to everything going on with their daughter?”
These unverified statements quickly spread online, fueling further rumors and speculation about Rupnow’s family.
Natalie Rupnow was gifted a gun
— Biblical📖Alliance🌉For🇨🇦The🇺🇸West🇮🇱 (@realtorontodude) December 17, 2024
She was also taught to hate men
Where did she learn this? pic.twitter.com/9YXp3LePGL
Police Statements Debunk Rumors
Despite the social media claims, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes has clarified that there is no evidence supporting the narrative that Rupnow’s parents gave her a firearm as a birthday gift. Speaking to the media, Barnes emphasized that Rupnow’s parents are fully cooperating with the investigation and are not currently facing any charges.
“The parents are fully cooperating; we have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time,” Barnes told reporters. He further stated that Rupnow’s father has been in communication with authorities to help piece together what led to the incident.
“We are trying to determine what he may have known or may not have known about what happened today,” Barnes added. He also noted that Rupnow’s family is grieving the loss of their daughter and is working alongside law enforcement to uncover the details surrounding the tragic event.
'SHE WAS A STUDENT': Natalie Rupnow, 15, killed a teacher, a student and injured six others when she opened fire inside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, police said. A second-grader called 911 to report the shooting. https://t.co/oFeHoFt9Vu pic.twitter.com/MFTP8mhrEI
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 17, 2024
The Ongoing Investigation
As of now, law enforcement officials are still working to determine how Rupnow gained access to the firearm used in the shooting. Chief Barnes described the incident as deeply traumatic for everyone involved, stating, “Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.”
Authorities are urging the public to rely on verified information as the investigation continues. Spreading unverified rumors, they warn, only adds to the pain of those directly impacted by the tragedy.
While social media claims suggesting Natalie Rupnow’s parents gifted her a gun have gone viral, there is no evidence to support these accusations. Police have confirmed that her parents are cooperating fully with the investigation and are not facing any charges. As law enforcement works to determine the facts, it is crucial to prioritize verified information over online speculation in such sensitive situations.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
