Wisconsin
Teenager accused in Wisconsin school shooting had a tumultuous family life, court documents show
MADISON, Wis. — A 15-year-old girl who police say killed two people and wounded multiple others at a private Christian school in Wisconsin endured what appeared to be a tumultuous home life marked by divorces, custody battles and a series of court-mandated mediation sessions to resolve disputes over her care, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.
Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow married and divorced twice, during which their daughter Natalie Rupnow would at times travel between her parents’ homes every few days and attend therapy.
They married in 2011 and divorced for the first time in 2014, according to court documents.
The two agreed to joint custody of Natalie, but she would live primarily with her mother, the documents state.
They remarried in 2017, according to their marriage certificate obtained by NBC, but filed for divorce a second time in 2020. Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow again agreed to share custody of Natalie, but this time she would spend “equal time with both parents,” the court documents show. A divorce certificate obtained by NBC News shows their divorce was finalized in 2021.
Natalie Rupnow, who also went by Samantha, shot and killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others during study hall on Monday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The victims were identified as Erin M. West, 42, and Rubi P. Vergara, 14.
Two students who sustained life-threatening injuries during the shooting remained in the hospital and the other four injured have been discharged, police said.
The FBI detained Alexander Paffendorf, 20, in California earlier this week and ordered him to temporarily surrender his firearms after he allegedly communicated with Natalie Rupnow. Authorities say Paffendorf admitted to discussing plans with Rupnow to arm himself with explosives and target a government building. The FBI uncovered messages between the two but did not disclose their alleged plans.
Paffendorf and his family could not immediately be reached for comment.
The apparent turmoil in Natalie Rupnow’s family life, as documented by court records, offer a glimpse into events that may have shaped her path before Monday’s tragedy.
In 2022, Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow sought mediation for custody of Natalie. That May, Dane County Family Court Services notified the parents of a requirement to attend a “mandatory parent education program via Zoom” due to a “disagreement concerning child custody and/or physical placement.” A month later, according to court documents, Mellissa Rupnow had “been scheduled to attend on June 2nd and June 16, 2022, but did not appear” for the Parent Education Program. Shortly after, the couple was asked to appear for a “mandatory mediation session in person appointment.”
In July 2022, an agreement was reached, granting them joint legal custody of Natalie, who would primarily live with her father, according to court documents. The documents also indicate that the parents agreed to “consider Natalie’s therapist’s recommendations regarding placement” for Natalie during the weekends.
Natalie’s mother agreed to connect with her therapist and “participate in therapy to the extent recommended by the therapist,” according to the court documents. Natalie’s father would make “every effort to schedule therapy appointments” to accommodate the mother’s schedule.
The court documents noted that “the parents report a generally positive co-parenting relationship and will continue to communicate with one another by text messages and phone conversations.”
Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the two are “fully cooperating” with investigators, who are still trying to identify a motive and have not released many details on the teenager.
“Identifying a motive is our top priority. But at this time, it appears that the motive was a combination of factors,” Barnes said at a news conference.
Trish Kilpin, the director of Wisconsin’s Office of School Safety, said on Monday that “targeted violence is preventable.”
“When somebody decides to use violence, it’s often to redress an upset or a grievance, and they progress down a pathway towards that violence,” Kilpin said. “And when they do that, they often study previous school shooting incidents.”
A neighbor of Jeff Rupnow’s who spoke to NBC News expressed shock when he learned about the shooting and described Jeff as a “kind person.”
“He really helped us out,” said the neighbor, who did not want his name used out of fear of publicity about the case. “I know we’re still trying to piece everything together.”
The neighbor indicated he didn’t know Natalie, saying “the very limited things we knew, it’s horrifying for everyone, obviously, and just horrifying for the families of the school and those kids.”
Selina Guevara reported from Madison, and Chloe Atkins and Daniella Silva reported from New York City.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin gets its QB in transfer portal by landing Colton Joseph from Old Dominion
Quarterback Colton Joseph is heading to Wisconsin after throwing for more than 2,500 yards and rushing for more than 1,000 yards at Old Dominion this season.
Joseph announced his decision Sunday with an X post that included the message, “On Wisconsin.”
Joseph completed 59.7% of his passes this season for 2,624 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Old Dominion, which went 10-3. He also rushed for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns on 158 carries.
He didn’t play in Old Dominion’s 24-10 Cure Bowl victory over South Florida after deciding to enter the transfer portal.
Joseph completed 59.9% of his passes for 1,627 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions while making eight starts in 2024. He rushed for 647 yards and 11 touchdowns that season.
Wisconsin has gone to the transfer portal for quarterbacks every year since coach Luke Fickell arrived, though injuries have limited their production.
Tanner Mordecai came over from SMU in 2023 but missed 3 1/2 games with a broken hand that season. Tyler Van Dyke arrived from Miami the following year but tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the third game of the season. Former Mississippi State quarterback Braedyn Locke started when Mordecai and Van Dyke were injured.
Billy Edwards Jr. transferred from Maryland and opened the 2025 season as Wisconsin’s starter, but he sprained his knee in the second quarter of the Badgers’ season-opening victory over Miami (Ohio).
Edwards returned to start Wisconsin’s Sept. 20 loss to Maryland but got hurt again and didn’t play the rest of the season. San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil, Southern Illinois transfer Hunter Simmons and freshman Carter Smith each started multiple games after Edwards’ injury.
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Wisconsin
Purdue basketball opts for backup plan, results in beating Wisconsin
Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter on Braden Smith’s assist record
Hear what Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter said after beating Wisconsin Saturday, Jan. 3.
MADISON, Wisc. ― Matt Painter came to the Kohl Center armed with two different defensive strategies.
Purdue basketball opted for choice No. 2 after choice No. 1 resulted in the Badgers scoring 22 points in the first nine minutes.
A season after watching Wisconsin go 20-for-22 on two-point field goals at Mackey Arena, the Boilermakers were in the midst of seeing a repeat performance when the Badgers started 8 of 10 inside the arc Saturday, Jan 3.
“To start the game the first eight minutes, they were just living in the paint, making good decisions,” Painter said. “They got a lot of layups. Then we switched to hedging and tried to keep the ball out of there. There’s some risk either way. That seemed to help us.”
The final score ― Purdue 89, Wisconsin 73 ― would indicate as much.
When Painter sifted through a roster in the preseason he believes has more than five starters, Cox’s ability to win that gave him a nod.
Drills. Scrimmages. Whatever it was, Cox always seemed to be on the winning side.
“That matters,” Painter said prior to Purdue’s season opener in November.
Cox is a capable scorer, evidenced by his 14 points, but his main priority is defense.
In a first half where Cox watched four good looks come off the rim, the sophomore guard still maintained winning attributes that championship teams cherish. He had two steals in nine minutes, the first coming after Wisconsin scored on four straight possessions.
That allowed Purdue to counterpunch the Badger’s 9-2 run to start the game.
“When you can keep throwing those punches and keep battling back, eventually, you’re going to knock them out,” said senior guard Fletcher Loyer, who led the Boilers with 20 points.
Purdue has no shortage of offensive haymakers it can throw.
During its five-game winning streak, the Boilers have walled up opponents to match.
Purdue held four straight opponents to 60 or fewer points prior to Saturday night. Wisconsin’s strong start was a damper in that streak continuing, but Purdue was prepared.
WATCH Purdue basketball’s Braden Smith on Big Ten assist record, win streak
Hear what Purdue basketball point guard Braden Smith said after breaking Cassius Winston’s Big Ten assist record at Wisconsin Saturday, Jan 3.
The Badgers started 9 of 13 from the field and finished the night shooting 42.1% after being held to 31% in the second half. The easy twos became challenged 3s. Beyond the arc, Wisconsin went 4 of 25. Purdue finished with eight steals, three by Cox, and forced 11 turnovers.
Saturday’s game likely gets remembered at season’s end as the night Braden Smith broke the Big Ten’s career assist record.
What will get lost is a defensive adaptation that altered how the final 30-plus minutes went in a road win that can be as valuable as found gold in a Big Ten championship quest.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 28, 2025
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Midday: 1-5-2
Evening: 8-8-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Midday: 0-4-8-8
Evening: 3-8-3-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Midday: 03-04-05-06-07-09-11-13-18-19-21
Evening: 01-02-04-05-06-10-14-15-18-20-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
13-16-17-21-31
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
01-02-17-18-21-22, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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