Rubi Patricia Vergara was killed by Natalie ‘Samantha’ Rupnow in the Abundant Life Christian School Wisconsin shooting
On December 16, a school shooting at Madison, Wisconsin’s Abundant Life Christian School claimed two lives and injured six more. One of the fatalities has been named by authorities as 14-year-old freshman Rubi Patricia Vergara.
Natalie ‘Samantha’ Rupnow, 15, opened fire before killing herself, causing the catastrophe. With a 9-millimeter pistol, the shooter, identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow (also known as Samantha), killed a teacher and Rubi Patricia before wounding six other people and killing herself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Who is student Rubi Patricia Vergara killed by Natalie ‘Samantha’ Rupnow in Abundant Life Christian School Wisconsin shooting, bio, age, family, parents and funeral
R.I.P. — 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara ID'ed as student killed in shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
According to her obituary, she was an avid reader, loved art, singing & playing keyboard in the family worship band. She shared a special bond… pic.twitter.com/aMmykIYcuO
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 18, 2024
A teacher and a teenage student were killed, and six others were injured when the gunman, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, opened fire during a study hall session. Around 11 a.m., a teacher reported the gunfire to 911, starting the incident.
On Monday, December 16, 2024, Rubi Patricia Vergara, a 14-year-old Madison resident and student at the school, tragically died. Investigators are trying to identify a motive for the shooting, according to Madison police chief Shon Barnes. Natalie Rupnow’s residence on Delaware Boulevard, about eight miles from the school, was searched thoroughly by police.
Rubi was born on March 17, 2010 and died on December 16, 2024.
Rubi was a freshman at Abundant Life Christian School and was an avid reader, loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band and will be deeply missed by her parents, Vicente and Jennifer; brother, Adrian Vergara; maternal grandparents, Carl and Pat Remus; paternal grandmother, Margarita Vergara; uncles, Andy (Stacy) Remus, Brian (Heidi) Remus, Juan, Humberto, and Abraham F. Vergara; aunts, Rosario, Cecilia and Lidia Margarita (Erick Mancilla) F. Vergara; other cousins, relatives and many friends.
42-year-old Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara were victims of the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Pray for their friends and families. pic.twitter.com/Rm6GQN2in2
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) December 19, 2024
Rubi’s family characterized her as a creative and intelligent individual. She cherished music, painting, and reading. She participated in her family’s worship band as a singer and keyboard player. She particularly treasured her relationship with her pets, Coco the dog and Ginger the cat.
Her obituary says, “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).”
According to the obituary, a funeral ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 21 at 11 a.m. at City Church, 4909 E. Buckeye Road, Madison after which the funeral will take place. The service will also be livestreamed for family and friends to watch. Vergara’s family acknowledged the girl’s death in the incident and posted the obituary on Facebook.
Age 42 school teacher West, who was another victim, did not immediately have an obituary available.
According to early findings from a forensic examination, the medical examiner’s office, which made the pair’s identities public, stated that they passed away from “homicidal firearm related trauma,” WPR reported.
Rupnow started shooting inside a classroom during study hall, wounding five other students, two of whom were very ill and admitted to the hospital—as well as one teacher.