Medical examiner identifies victims in tragic Wisconsin school shooting
MILWAUKEE — The teacher and the student killed in the tragic shooting at a Madison, Wisconsin, private school were identified by a medical examiner's office on Wednesday.
The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday evening released the names of Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, of Madison, Wisconsin, and Erin West, 42, of DeForest, following forensic autopsies. Preliminary findings indicate both died due to firearm-related trauma, according to the medical examiner's office.
Vergara was a freshman at Abundant Life Christian School and West was a substitute coordinator, according to the school's staff directory. Vergara's family had previously authorized the release of her obituary earlier Wednesday, according to Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care.
The daughter of Vicente and Jennifer Vergara, Rubi is described in her obituary as an avid reader who loved art, singing, and playing the keyboard in the family worship band. She "shared a special bond with her beloved pets," a cat named Ginger and her dog Coco, the obituary added.
The fatal shooting occurred around 11 a.m. Monday when a 15-year-old student opened fire during a study hall, according to police.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the Paste BN Network, that police currently have no information indicating the suspect, Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow, was targeting a specific person. He asked anyone with information that would indicate otherwise to contact police.
"The shooter made a decision to walk into that study hall with mixed high school students and open fire,” Barnes said. “Everyone in that room had an equal chance of dying that day.”
He did not know whether the suspected shooter was assigned to be in that study hall.
Six others were injured before the suspect turned the gun on herself, according to police. The medical examiner's report stated that Rupnow died at a local hospital.
Of the six who were injured, two students were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. A teacher and three other students were initially hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Two had been released from the hospital as of Monday evening.
Barnes said the hospital had stopped updating police about the conditions of those who remained there, citing privacy laws.
Authorities have not publicly identified the injured victims. Barnes said to his knowledge they are still alive.
(This story was updated to add new information.)