The teacher and student killed in Monday’s school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, have been identified.
The teen killed in the attack at Abundant Life Christian School has been identified as Rubi Patricia Vergara.
The 14-year-old was a freshman student at the K–12 school, according to an obituary posted online by Gunderson Funeral Home. The online tribute also states that Vergara “passed away unexpectedly” on Dec. 16, the day of the school shooting.
“She was an avid reader, loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band. She shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog),” the obituary reads.
The teacher killed in the attack has been identified as 42-year-old Erin Michelle West. On Wednesday night, the Dane County Coroner’s office clarified the teacher’s name after initially identifying her as Michelle E. West.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Six other students were injured before the shooter, 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, killed herself with her gun.
Rupnow opened fire around 11 a.m. inside a classroom during a study hall with students from various grades.
Authorities have not specified a motive for the shooting, although Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said it appears to be a “combination of factors” and that bullying at the school would be investigated.
Police still don’t know if anyone specific was targeted in the shooting or if it was planned in advance.
“I do not know if she planned it that day or if she planned it a week prior,” Barnes said. “To me, bringing a gun to school to hurt people is planning. And so we don’t know what the premeditation is.”
According to the police chief, Rupnow had two handguns, and only one of them was used in the attack. It’s unclear how she obtained the handguns or who purchased them.
The shooter’s parents are cooperating with law enforcement. They are divorced and share custody of their daughter, although she primarily lived with her father, court documents show. Divorce records also indicated that Rupnow was in therapy in 2022, and further details were not given.
Investigators continue to scour through possible evidence online ahead of the shooting. Writings penned by the shooter may also provide some insight into a motive, according to Barnes.
“There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred,” the police chief stated. “We’re looking into her online activity.”
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway urged the media to give families time to heal.
“It is absolutely none of y’alls business who was harmed in this incident,” Rhodes-Conway said during a press conference on Tuesday.
“Please, have some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones or were injured themselves or whose children were injured. Just have some human decency, folks. Leave them alone. Let them grieve. Let them recover. Let them heal. Don’t feed off their pain. We’ll share what we can when we can and not before that.”
On Tuesday night, a candlelight vigil was held at the state capitol to honor the victims of the shooting.
A funeral service for Vergara will be held on Saturday at City Church in Madison, according to the obituary.
Two of the six injured students remain hospitalized in critical condition as of Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.