Tributes have been paid to the two victims who died in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, who have been named as 42-year-old teacher Erin M. West and 14-year-old student Rubi P. Vergara.
The Dane County medical examiner’s office confirmed their identities in a news release Wednesday night, while the school said in a separate statement that “our hearts are heavy with these losses.”
The suspected shooter, Natalie Rupnow, 15, a freshman at the school who was also known as Samantha, died on the way to hospital Monday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
“ALCS is a better school for the work of Erin West. She brought her love of Jesus and love of people to our staff and school family all wrapped in a hug and topped with a smile,” the school said in its statement.
It said West worked as a substitute teacher for three years before she took a full-time staff role as an in-house substitute teacher and coordinator, “a role tailor made for her abundant skills and breadth of knowledge.”
“She served our teachers and students with grace, humor, wisdom, and — most importantly — with the love of Jesus. Her loss is a painful and deep one and she will be greatly missed not just among our staff, but our entire ALCS family,” the statement added.
Rubi Vergara, a ninth grade student who had been at the school since kindergarten, was described as popular and a keen volunteer.
“Her gentle, loving, and kind heart was reflected in her smile. Rubi was a blessing to her class and our school. She was not only a good friend, but a great big sister,” the school said.
“Often seen with a book in hand, she had a gift for art and music. Yet, it was Rubi’s love for Jesus that shined brightest and she shared His love with others by volunteering faithfully. She will be missed deeply by her teachers and fellow students,” it added.
An online obituary uploaded to a local funeral home website said Vergara loved art, singing and playing keyboard in her family’s worship band. “She shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog),” the obituary said.
The funeral home said a service for Vergara would be held at 11 a.m. CT (12 a.m. ET) Saturday and livestreamed online.
The police investigation continues. Authorities said Wednesday night that the two unidentified students who sustained life-threatening injuries remain in a hospital, while the four people who were treated in the hospital for minor injuries have been discharged.
Police said the shooter opened fire in a second-floor classroom “during a study hall for mixed graders.”
Two guns were found at the school, only one of which was used in the shooting, police said.
Police said that they were working to establish a motive and that they were aware of the suspect’s alleged social media activity and “documents and photos circulating the internet,” which have yet to be verified.
Detectives want to speak to anyone who may have interacted with Rupnow in the days or weeks before the shooting — they can contact police anonymously through Madison Area Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com or by calling 608-266-6014.
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