• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
People spot unsettling 'link' between Wisconsin shooter Natalie Runpow and Columbine killer Eric Harris

Home> News> US News

Updated 14:52 17 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 14:15 17 Dec 2024 GMT

People spot unsettling 'link' between Wisconsin shooter Natalie Runpow and Columbine killer Eric Harris

Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow, 15, allegedly injured six and killed two people yesterday (December 16)

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

People think they've spotted an apparent link between Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow and Eric Harris.

Rupnow is said to be behind a school shooting that unfolded yesterday (December 16) at a small Christian school in Wisconsin.

The 15-year-old pupil allegedly wounded six others in Monday’s shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, including two students who were in critical condition, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

Advert

A teacher and three students were taken to hospital with less serious injuries and two were later released.

Meanwhile, Rupnow was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived and died en route to hospital, police said.

Following the devastating events, people have been forced to confront the ongoing issue in the US that is mass shootings - at schools in particular.

At the time of writing, there have been more than 488 mass shootings across the US so far, BBC News reports.

One mass shooting in particular that people have been thinking about after Rupnow's reported actions is that of the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

A picture of the 15-year-old sees her wearing a KMFDM t-shirt (@TheNationalDesk/YouTube)
A picture of the 15-year-old sees her wearing a KMFDM t-shirt (@TheNationalDesk/YouTube)

The heartbreaking incident was carried out by Eric Harris and Dylan Kelbold, who killed 12 students and one teacher, before both Harris and Kelbold took their own lives as well.

With the similarities in mind between yesterday and that fateful day in 1999, people on social media have spotted an apparent 'link' between Harris and Rupnow.

In a photo of Rupnow that's being distributed online, the teenager can be seen sporting a KMFDM t-shirt.

Harris was also seemingly a fan of the same German rock band and was pictured wearing the same T-shirt in the run up to Columbine.

Eric Harris was one of the Columbine killers (Police handout)
Eric Harris was one of the Columbine killers (Police handout)

KMFDM stands for 'Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid', which translates to 'No Pity for the Majority'.

Before the 1999 massacre, Harris had praised KMFDM for its 'anti-American' and 'anti-authoritarian' messages, as per The Times of India.

The band has always publicly condemned violence, however.

As it stands, a motive for yesterday's shooting isn't known and it's not clear if the victims were targeted, however, police believe that Rupnow planned the shooting, as per ITV News.

 Steve White and Lucia Cifarelli of KMFDM pictured in 2013 (Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
Steve White and Lucia Cifarelli of KMFDM pictured in 2013 (Mat Hayward/Getty Images)

Police have been talking with the alleged attacker’s father and other family members, who were co-operating, and searching her home.

"He lost someone as well," Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said of the father. "And so we’re not going to rush the information.

"We’ll take our time and make sure we do our due diligence."

In another statement, Barnes said her parents were 'fully cooperating' with the investigation, adding: "We have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time."

If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Featured Image Credit: Police handout

Topics: News, US News, Music

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
5 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Donald Trump backs down on tariff threat after securing beginnings of a Greenland deal

    It is believed the deal could potentially see the US take ownership of small pockets of land in the arctic nation.

    News
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    Donald Trump boldly declares 'sometimes you need a dictator' in second Davos speech

    Trump addressed the World Economic Forum in a second speech on Wednesday where he once again made reference to himself as a 'dictator'

    News
  • Getty Images/Luis Alvarez
    8 hours ago

    Neurologists warn that you should never ignore these eight symptoms

    Multiple neurologists have highlighted simple things you should not ignore

    News
  • Getty Images/Jackyenjoyphotography
    8 hours ago

    People say men hate this one sex position but women find it makes them feel 'confident'

    The sex position was searched over 400,000 times in 2025

    News
  • People left 'sickened' after learning about disturbing marriage between 22-year-old man and his 9-year-old wife
  • Mass shooter who killed 23 people in racist Walmart attack offered plea deal to avoid death penalty
  • Human remains discovered near Taylor Swift's home spark more serial killer fears after 12 people found dead in area
  • Deadmau5 issues apology after getting 'too drunk' and falling over during Coachella set that left fans outraged