Hundreds gather at Wisconsin vigil to mourn victims of deadly Christian school shooting

A grieving community in Wisconsin came together to attend a vigil and a separate prayer service on Tuesday night to mourn the victims of the deadly shooting at a Christian school a day earlier.

The vigil was held outside of the Wisconsin State Capitol in the center of Madison, where singers and speakers, including local leaders like Superintendent Joe Gothard of the Madison Metropolitan School District, took centerstage.

At City Church, just across the lake, hundreds gathered for a prayer service next door to Abundant Life Christian School, the site of Monday’s horror in which Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, 15, shot and killed a classmate, a teacher, and then took her own life.

Mourners holding candles at a vigil outside the Wisconsin State Capitol in honor of the victims of the school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Jeff M. Brown for ZUMA Press

“It makes me really sad for the parents and all the children who go to school who have to fear every single day about this happening,” 13-year-old Winnie Clifford told Wisconsin Public Radio.

“It’s just really sad. Because I feel like so many people don’t want to make the changes necessary to prevent this,” Madison local Nadir Carlson told the outlet.

“I think we have to talk about what brings a young person to bring a gun to a school.”

A young man signing a memorial at a candlelight vigil outside the
Wisconsin State Capitol. Jeff M. Brown for ZUMA Press

The sign for Abundant Life Christian School was still draped with yellow caution tape during Tuesday night’s somber service.

The marquee outside the school still displayed a message about the school’s athletics from the days prior.

Two women embracing during a candlelight vigil outside the
Wisconsin State Capitol following a school shooting. Jeff M. Brown for ZUMA Press

Like at the Capitol, faith leaders sought to inspire and encourage the community through song and prayer.

Teachers from Abundant Life Christian School spoke at the prayer service, including fine arts director and theater teacher Pastor Sarah Karlen. She called for greater support as malevolent comments continue to suffocate the school’s social media.

“Lord, we need healing, not just for ourselves, but we need healing for those who are in the hospital. We need healing for the families. We need healing for the students. We need healing for the staff,” she said.

A woman holding a candle at the vigil held in honor of the victims
of the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. Jeff M. Brown for ZUMA Press

Madison police are still investigating Rupnow’s motives. In her rampage, she injured six others who were treated at a nearby hospital, but two remain in critical condition as of Tuesday.

The identities of those killed and injured has not been released.

Bishop Godfrey A. Stubbs at a candlelight vigil outside the Wisconsin State Capitol, wiping away a tear before a prayer. Jeff M. Brown for ZUMA Press

The shooting at Abundant Life Christian School marked the 83rd of the year, according to CNN. With Monday’s school shooting, 2024 officially passed the record for most school shootings in a single year — which was previously 82 shootings in 2023.