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
Coveted 2027 recruit Baboucarr Ann commits to Wisconsin basketball
Greg Gard shares most rewarding part of Garding Against Cancer effort
Wisconsin basketball coach Greg Gard said the most rewarding part of his Garding Against Cancer initiative is ‘the people.’
MADISON – Greg Gard and Co. have landed another one of their top recruiting targets in the 2027 class.
Baboucarr Ann, a four-star recruit from Maple Grove, Minnesota, announced his commitment to Wisconsin men’s basketball via social media on June 25.
“Belief. Trust. Development. Family,” Ann said in a tweet. “That’s why I’m a Badger.”
Ann chose the Badgers over scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Iowa State and nearby Minnesota, among other high-major programs. 247 Sports has ranked the 6-foot-5 prospect No. 84 nationally and No. 1 in Minnesota.
He is the third UW commit in the 2027 class, joining Wauwatosa West guard Jalen Brown and 7-foot-1 center Jack Thelen. Brown also is a top-100 recruit in 247 Sports’ rankings.
Ann and Thelen are teammates both at Maple Grove and on the AAU circuit. Brad Davison, UW’s special assistant to the head coach, is a Maple Grove alum and had a key role in Ann’s recruitment.
While the rankings surely will fluctuate as other schools pick up more commitments, the Badgers have 247 Sports’ third-best recruiting class in the country. Iowa State and Illinois are the only higher-rated classes.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 24, 2026
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 June 24, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 24 drawing
13-14-16-21-38, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 24 drawing
Midday: 1-3-4
Evening: 7-7-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 24 drawing
Midday: 4-2-3-3
Evening: 1-5-4-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from June 24 drawing
Midday: 02-07-08-09-12-13-14-16-18-19-20
Evening: 02-03-04-05-09-16-17-18-19-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from June 24 drawing
06-22-24-27-31
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from June 24 drawing
09-17-27-29-31-38, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks numbers from June 24 drawing
01-08-12-24-26-27
Check Megabucks 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.
Wisconsin
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