A California man was detained by the FBI and ordered to have his firearms temporarily seized after allegedly communicating with the 15-year-old shooter who killed two people at a Wisconsin school, according to documents.
The gun violence emergency protective order was issued on Tuesday for a 20-year-old man in Carlsbad, located in San Diego County. NBC San Diego obtained the order, which details that the man had communicated with Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, the suspect who opened fire on Monday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Rupnow killed two people and then took her own life.
The FBI detained the Carlsbad man after he was reportedly found to be plotting a mass shooting with Rupnow, according to a police officer's statement in the order. The officer wrote that the man confessed to FBI agents that he had told Rupnow he would arm himself with explosives and a gun and target a government building.
The FBI had access to messages exchanged between the two, though the order does not provide further details about their communication or alleged plans.
A judge in San Diego County approved the order, and it was served at the Carlsbad home shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday. A court hearing regarding the order is scheduled for January 3. The order mandates the temporary surrender of firearms, but it does not indicate whether any weapons were seized. The order also prohibits the individual from possessing firearms while it remains in effect.
The FBI’s San Diego field office declined to comment on the matter. Carlsbad police stated that the investigation is being led by Madison police, with questions being directed to the FBI. It is unclear whether any criminal charges have been filed; no charges were mentioned by the involved agencies, and a spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to inquiries. A search of criminal cases in the county revealed no records related to the man.
No contact information for the man or his family was found in public records.
Carlsbad police assured the community that there is no ongoing threat to the area.
Meanwhile, investigators in Madison are still working to determine the motive behind Monday’s shooting. Rupnow, a freshman at Abundant Life Christian School, opened fire during a study hall that included students from various grades. The victims included Erin West, 42, a staff member, and Rubi Vergara, 14, a ninth-grade student. Two other students suffered life-threatening injuries and remain hospitalized. Four others sustained minor injuries and were discharged.
In a statement released Wednesday, the school described Rubi as having “a gentle, loving, and kind heart reflected in her smile,” noting her talents in art and music. Erin West was remembered as a substitute teacher who had become a full-time staff member and was praised for her positive contributions to the school.
Police found two guns at the scene, with only one used in the shooting. The weapon used was identified as a handgun. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has completed its trace of the firearms, but further information about the guns has not been released.
Madison police are also investigating Rupnow's social media accounts and are reaching out to anyone who may have interacted with her in the days or weeks before the incident.
0 Comments