In the aftermath of Monday’s deadly shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, the city’s mayor is asking reporters to back off in pursuing more information about the incident, which left a student and a teacher dead, along with the alleged shooter and wounded six others.
“It is absolutely none of y’all’s business who was harmed in this incident,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told reporters seeking to find out the victims’ identities. “Please, have some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones or were injured themselves or whose children were injured.”
Monday’s tragedy unfolded when 15-year-old student Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School just before 11:00 a.m. Some 400 students attend the K through 12th grade school. Police say Rupnow later died from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to USAToday.
Two students were still in critical condition Tuesday afternoon, officials said. Three other students and a teacher suffered wounds that were not life-threatening, and two of the victims have since been released from local hospitals.
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Two students were in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Three other students and one teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries; two of the victims were released from nearby hospitals.
Authorities said on Tuesday they are still trying to find a motive for the shooting and discover where Rupnow got the handgun used in the attack. They have searched her home and spoken with family members, who have been cooperating with investigators, said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.
Asked whether the suspect’s parents or anyone else may face charges, Rhodes-Conway said, “We don’t know nearly enough yet.”
Rhodes-Conway made the pointed remark at the end of a tense news conference roughly 24 hours after the city of Madison was devastated by its second school shooting this year. Media outlets were full of questions during the conference about the victims, who have not been identified as yet.
One outlet wanted more general information on the victims, including questions about their personalities and whether the students were involved in sports. The mayor declined to comment.
Another reporter who said they had been there for 27 hours wanted to know if officials wanted to dispel rumors on social media, including rumors about the victims, why proper people weren’t there to answer questions, provide clarification, or set the record straight.
“I don’t know how many times I can say this: We will share good, factual information when we can. None of you is obliged to stay here. You’re free to leave. You don’t have to be sitting in this room if you don’t want to,” Rhodes-Conway said, obviously frustrated.
“Just have some human decency folks. Leave them alone. Let them grieve. Let them recover. Let them heal,” she said. “Don’t feed off their pain. We’ll share what we can when we can and not before that. Thank you.”
It’s not a terrible thing for the mayor to ask for time. Who can blame her amid such a tragedy? But what’s interesting is that there weren’t any officials in place to answer these questions, which, I might add, are pretty typical questions for reporters to ask.
As for where the teen girl may have gotten the gun, we’ve seen examples of her at a shooting range. I’m not saying she somehow obtained the gun from her parents, but I don’t think the answer is too hard to figure out.
That said, it’s time for Republicans to knock it off with the “thoughts and prayers.” Far too many people have died under their watch, and this is a tragedy that could have been prevented.
Shame on them.
The mayor shares her thoughts below.
Featured image via screengrab
