A grieving community in Wisconsin gathered for a vigil and a separate prayer service Tuesday night to mourn the victims of a deadly shooting at a Christian school a day earlier.
The vigil was held outside the Wisconsin State Capitol in downtown Madison, where singers and speakers took the stage, including local leaders such as Joe Gothard, superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District.
At City Church, just across the lake, hundreds of people gathered for a prayer vigil next to Abundant Life Christian School, where the horrific incident occurred Monday, in which 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupanov shot a classmate, a teacher He was beaten to death, and then shot. His own life.
“It makes me really sad for the parents and all the kids who go to school who have to fear about this happening every day,” said Winnie Clifford, 13. Wisconsin Public Radio,
“It is really very sad. Because I think a lot of people don’t want to make the changes needed to stop this,” Madison local Nadir Carlson told the outlet.
“I think we need to talk about what it takes for a young person to bring a gun to school.”
Wisconsin State Capitol. Jeff M. Brown for Zuma Press
The Abundant Life Christian School sign was still wrapped in yellow warning tape during Tuesday night’s vigil.
A message about the school’s athletics from days past was still displayed on the marquee outside the school.
The Wisconsin State Capitol after a school shooting. Jeff M. Brown for Zuma Press
Like the Capitol, faith leaders attempted to inspire and encourage the community through song and prayer.
Teachers from Abundant Life Christian School spoke at the prayer service, including fine arts director and theater teacher Pastor Sarah Carlen. He called for more support as hateful comments continue to appear on the school’s social media.
“Lord, we need healing, not only for ourselves, but we also need healing for those who are in the hospital. We need healing for families. We need remedies for students. We need to treat the workers,” she said.
Abundant Life Christian School shooting. Jeff M. Brown for Zuma Press
Madison police are still investigating Rupno’s intentions. In his rampage, he injured six other people, who were treated at a nearby hospital, but two remain in critical condition as of Tuesday.
The identities of those killed and injured have not been released.
The shooting at Abundant Life Christian School marks the 83rd of the year. According to CNNWith Monday’s school shooting, 2024 officially surpassed the record for most school shootings in a single year — previously held by 2023 with 82 shootings.
(tags to translate)US news(T)Christianity(T)school shootings(T)Wisconsin
