Calif. Man Accused of Communicating with 15-Year-Old Wis. School Shooter, Planning His Own Attack

Mar. 15, 2025

A California man has been detained after being accused of communicating with the teenage shooter who killed two peopleat the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., on Monday, Dec. 16.

The man was detained “after he was discovered plotting a mass shooting with the Madison Wisconsin shooter,” a Carlsbad police officer alleged in the documents. Paffendorf is “required to surrender all firearms and ammunition” within 48 hours, per the order.

A photo of crime scene tape outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis.Scott Olson/Getty

Scott Olson/Getty

Paffendorf was detained, but it’s not clear if he was formally arrested, perNBC 7.

A court hearing regarding the gun violence emergency protective order is set for Jan. 3, the order stated.

Renee Foreman, a neighbor of Paffendorf’s, said: “You would never think that would happen. In your own neighborhood, across the street from your house. That’s not good. That’s scary,” per NBC 7.

Tributes left outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis.Scott Olson/Getty

The update comes after the two deceasedvictims of the shooting were identifiedas a student and a staff member on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Six others were hospitalized following the attack, with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes previously said.

Preliminary autopsy results showed that both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene and died of “homicidal firearm-related trauma,” per the release.

The Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis.Scott Olson/Getty

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The teen is alleged to have opened fire with a handgun in a study hall at the school, before turning her weapon on herself.

According to the medical examiner’s report, Rupnow was pronounced dead at a local hospital following the incident. Preliminary autopsy results confirmed that she died as a result of “firearm-related trauma,” and additional testing is underway.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18. Barnes also told theMilwaukee Journal Sentinelthat police don’t currently believe that Rupnow was targeting a specific person.

source: people.com