Father of 15-year-old girl charged in Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting bound over for trial

Jeffrey Rupnow, the father of a 15-year-old girl involved in a deadly school shooting in Madison, has been bound over for trial on charges related to the incident. Rupnow appeared in court for a preliminary hearing 11 weeks after his arrest on May 8, 2025. He posted a $20,000 bond the following day.

Rupnow faces two counts of providing a dangerous weapon to a person under 18, resulting in death, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a child. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 18 years in prison. During the hearing, a court commissioner rejected the defense’s argument that Rupnow was unaware of his daughter’s violent intentions and did not physically hand her the weapons used in the attack.

On December 16, 2024, Natalie, Rupnow’s daughter, opened fire in a study hall at Abundant Life Christian School. She killed teacher Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old student Rubi Vergara, injuring six others before taking her own life. Investigators recovered a 9mm Glock handgun and a bag containing a .22-caliber Sig Sauer pistol, along with ammunition at the crime scene.

According to a criminal complaint, Rupnow stated that Natalie was struggling with the emotional impact of her parents’ divorce. As a way to bond with his daughter, he purchased two handguns for her, which she brought to school the day of the shooting. Rupnow told investigators he provided the access code to a safe where he stored her guns, though he was unsure if he had resecured one of the weapons after Natalie cleaned it the day before the attack.

Rupnow’s attorney argued that his client took reasonable measures to prevent access to firearms, including keeping all guns in a safe, which is not required under Wisconsin law. The attorney also noted that many Wisconsin parents teach their children to handle firearms, and Natalie had completed a gun safety course.

The case highlights the complex intersection of parental responsibility, gun safety, and the potential consequences of providing access to weapons, especially in situations of emotional distress. The legal proceedings will determine the extent of Rupnow’s accountability for his daughter’s actions.

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