MADISON — The father of the teenager who killed two people in a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in December will stand trial.
43-year-old Jeffrey Rupnow is charged with three felonies including intentionally selling a dangerous weapon to a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
His 15-year-old daughter Natalie used one of two guns that he legally purchased in the mass shooting. She shot a total of eight people, then died by suicide. Prosecutors allege she had easy access to guns at home, and that her father was aware of her mental health issues.
Rupnow’s attorney argued in a preliminary hearing on Thursday that he could not be held responsible for his daughter obtaining the firearms, because he did not physically hand her the gun on the day of the shooting and did not have knowledge of her plans.
Dane County Circuit Court Commissioner John Rome denied the motion to dismiss the charges, finding sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
42-year-old teacher Erin West and 14-year-old student Rubi Vergara died in the shooting on Dec. 16, 2024, and one teenager is still recovering in the hospital.
Rupnow posted $20,000 cash bail in May and is no longer in custody at the Dane County Jail.
