A new angle has emerged in the investigation into a mass shooting at a Wisconsin school, with a 20-year-old man from California now detained for allegedly conspiring with the Madison school shooter. Alexander Paffendorf, of Carlsbad, California, is suspected of plotting to carry out a mass shooting at a government building, in connection with the deadly attack at Abundant Life Christian School earlier this week.
According to court records reviewed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Paffendorf was detained after admitting during an FBI interview that he had communicated his violent plans to 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow. Rupnow, who shot and killed one student and one teacher while injuring six others, allegedly received messages from Paffendorf in which he detailed his intentions to arm himself with explosives and firearms for a coordinated attack.
“I would arm myself with explosives and a gun and target a government building,” Paffendorf allegedly told Rupnow, as cited in the emergency gun violence restraining order. The FBI agents investigating the case confirmed they had accessed the disturbing messages between Paffendorf and Rupnow.
The details were first reported by CBS 8, adding another layer of complexity to the already harrowing case. While authorities in Wisconsin have yet to comment further, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed to the Journal Sentinel that he was unaware of the arrest and deferred questions to the FBI.
The California arrest occurred after a San Diego judge approved a restraining order on Tuesday, which mandates Paffendorf to surrender all firearms and ammunition. He is also prohibited from acquiring any new weapons. Within hours of the judge’s decision, law enforcement descended on Paffendorf’s Carlsbad apartment complex, where neighbors reported witnessing a tense standoff. “They had their full guns out all over the street,” recalled neighbor Alex Gallegos, describing the scene as police cars and officers with guns swarmed the area. “There were about 15 cops here.”
Paffendorf’s court hearing is set for January 3, but questions remain about the nature of his relationship with Rupnow, who was allegedly influenced by him to carry out the shooting at the Christian school. Rupnow, a freshman at Abundant Life Christian School, had brought two handguns to school on Monday, though reports suggest only one weapon was used in the attack.
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