Dad of Wisconsin school shooter shared eerie image of daughter before attack

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The dad of American school shooter Natalie Rupnow shared a chilling image months before the horror attack, appearing to show his daughter at a shooting range.

In August, a Facebook post shared by Jeff Rupnow, saw his daughter aiming a shotgun at clay targets, wearing an unsettling black T-shirt similar to one worn by the Columbine school shooters, reports the Mirror.

The top bore the logo of the German industrial band KMFDM, which became infamous after the 1999 massacre that claimed the lives of 13 people.

He referenced their membership at North Bristol Sportsman's Club, a local shooting range near Madison, Wisconsin.

The post, which appeared innocent at the time, has since attracted scrutiny, given its similarities to the Columbine massacre.

Rupnow, who was also known as Samantha, carried out the attack on Monday at the Abundant Life Christian School, shooting and killing a teacher and student with a 9mm handgun.

Six others were injured in the frenzied attack before the 15-year-old turned the gun on herself. Police are still to determine a motive but are looking at a manifesto reportedly written by Rupnow, which has been shared numerous times online.

The content of the document could give investigators further insight into her state of mind leading upto the shooting.

The rampage unfolded with terrified students and staff scrambling for safety.

First responders rushed to the scene within minutes, where they discovered the bodies of Rupnow and her two victims.

Those involved in the tragedy were rushed to nearby hospitals, where last night several remain in critical condition.

Witnesses described scenes of horror as the shooter moved through hallways, reportedly targeting specific individuals.

Following the tragic event, scrutiny turned to the Facebook post shared in August by Rupnow's father, in which he proudly discussed their membership at the club.

The image shows Natalie from the back holding a gun with protective ear muffs on. A user commented on Jeff's post, "Is that kiddo?" to which he responded, "Sure is!!!!! We joined NBSC this spring, and we have been loving every second of it!"

The choice of the KMFDM shirt has also struck an unsettling chord as the Columbine shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold also idolised the band, incorporating its lyrics and imagery into their violent worldview.

Harris's website featured KMFDM lyrics alongside disturbing references to Nazi ideology.

And while the band denounced the Columbine massacre at the time, their association with one of America's most infamous school shootings has bonded them as a dark cultural reference point.

The investigation into Rupnow's actions has raised the question of parental responsibility, echoing cases such as James and Jennifer Crumbley, who were convicted after their son's involvement in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes conveyed the possibility during a press conference.

Following the tragedy, online speculation surrounding Rupnow's gender identity has fueled controversy.

Chief Barnes criticised such discussions, demanding they are irrelevant to the investigation and detract from understanding the root causes of the attack.

There have been at least 83 school shootings in the States so far this year, as of December 16. The incidents have left 38 people dead and at least 115 other victims injured.

Across America, there have been more than 488 mass shootings across the US so far in 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The organisation defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are injured or killed. Their figures include shootings that happen in homes and public places. For each of the last four years, there have been more than 600 mass shootings - almost two a day on average.

The deadliest such attack, in Las Vegas in 2017, killed more than 50 people and left 500 wounded. The vast majority of mass shootings, however, leave fewer than ten people dead.

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