BURSTPolice confirmed the shooter who killed a teacher and fellow student in a Wisconsin school earlier this week was contacted by a man in California who was plotting an attack on a government building, according to the Associated Press.
A 15-year-old student fired fatal shots at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday in Madison before taking her own life. In addition to the two confirmed deaths, two additional students remain in critical condition due to injuries from the gunfire.
“I do not know if she planned it that day or if she planned it a week prior,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told reporters. “To me, bringing a gun to school to hurt people is planning. And so we don’t know what the premeditation is.”
The 20-year-old California man who communicated with the teenager was ordered to relinquish his guns and ammunition on Tuesday within 48 hours under the state's red flag law, citing the individual as a danger to himself and others.
If an officer were to request the weapons earlier than the two day period, the judge’s order requires him to comply.
FBI agents discovered the California man was messaging the shooter identified as Natalie Rupnow about a government building attack involving a gun and explosives, according to reports from AP.
Documents do not outline which building was mentioned or when the timing of the alleged attack would have occurred.
“Our hearts are heavy with these losses,” Barbara Wiers, Abundant Life Christian’s communications director, wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
The school and Madison community has spent the last few days mourning the loss of 14-year-old freshman Rubi Patricia Vergara and teacher Erin Michelle West.
It's unclear whether or not police will charge Rupnow's parents, and authorities say they have been cooperative throughout their investigation.