The babyface California man accused of helping a Wisconsin teenager plan a school shooting that took the lives of a student and a teacher has broken his silence.
Alexander Paffendorf appeared by video in a collared shirt and tie in court on Friday to face the consequences of his actions, without detailing his role in the Abundant Life Christian School shooting on December 16.
He said he was ready for a hearing on whether a restraining order confiscating his guns and ammunition should remain in place, and expressed remorse for his actions.
Police have said Paffendorf admitted to federal agents that he had been messaging school shooter 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow about attacking a government building with a gun and explosives while she carried out the attack at the small Christian school.
Shortly afterwards, neighbors told CBS 8 they saw more than a dozen police cars enter the apartment complex where Paffendorf lives on Tuesday night and saw officers coming out of the building carrying what was described as a ‘black gun box.’
Paffendorf has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but an attorney for the city of Carlsbad told Judge Devon Lomayesva that he was under criminal investigation.
A detective also told the judge the FBI is expected to conclude its investigation within two to three months – prompting Lomayesva to delay consideration on the restraining order.
He explained that it was in Paffendorf’s best interest to delay the hearing, as he is under criminal investigation but did not have an attorney present.
Alexander Paffendorf appeared by video in a collared shirt and tie in court on Friday to face the consequences of his actions
He allegedly admitted to agents that he had been messaging 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow (pictured) about attacking a government building with a gun and explosives
The ruling keeps the order to confiscate Paffendorf’s weapons in effect through April 4, as police continue their investigation into the school shooting and Paffendorf’s role.
Authorities have previously said Rupnow entered Abundant Life Christian School with two handguns – but only used one to carry out the attack, which took the lives of 14-year-old student Rubi Patricia Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin Michelle West.
Police then received a call at 10.57am, and officers arrived just seconds later.
By 11.05, officers found Rupnow wounded as they recovered her weapon.
She was later pronounced dead on the way to the hospital as fire department workers cared for at least six other victims, whose injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening.
A motive for the shooting still remains unclear, with police saying they do not know whether anyone was specifically targeted in the attack as some have suggested.
Police, along with the FBI, are now scouring online records and other resources, as well as speaking with the shooter’s parents and classmates in an attempt to determine a motive for the shooting.
Authorities were also seen raiding the Rupnows’ Wisconsin home following the tragedy.
Rupnow shot and killed 14-year-old student Rubi Patricia Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin Michelle West before turning the gun on herself on December 16
A motive for the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (pictured) remains unclear
Investigators are trying to determine whether Rupnow’s parents, Jeff and Melissa, had any involvement or contributed to Natalie’s actions.
Online court records show no criminal cases against her father, Jeffrey Rupnow, or her mother, Mellissa Rupnow.
They are divorced and shared custody of their daughter, but she primarily lived with her father, according to court documents. Divorce records indicate that Rupnow was in therapy in 2022, but don’t say why.
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