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| - FACT CHECK: Was The Madison, Wisconsin Shooter Transgender?
A post shared on Facebook claims the suspected shooter who opened fire on the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin was purportedly transgender.
Verdict: False
There is no mention of Natalie Rupnow, the alleged school shooter, being transgender at this time.
Fact Check:
Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said Rupnow’s motive for allegedly opening fire on the Abundant Life Christian School looks like a “combination of factors,” according to The Associated Press. Rupnow is accused of shooting a study hall, which killed one teacher and one student and wounded six others, the outlet reported.
The Facebook post claims the suspected shooter who opened fire on the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin was purportedly transgender.
“The school shooter in [the] Madison, Wisconsin Christian School shooting has been identified as a female identifying as a male,” the post reads in part. The post also shares media from the alleged shooter’s purported X account, including a video of an individual appearing to fire a gun at a target.
The claim is false. Although a Dec. 16 article from NBC News identifies the alleged shooter as 15-year-old Rupnow, a student at the school who “went by Samantha,” there is no mention of Rupnow being transgender.
Likewise, Barnes indicated he did not know whether Rupnow was transgender when asked, according to the New York Post.
“I don’t know whether Natalie was transgender or not. And, quite frankly, I don’t think that’s important at all. I don’t think whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may want to identify,” Barnes said.
Barnes’ response followed rumors circulating on social media that Rupnow was transgender, and that the student’s gender identity may have played a role in the shooting, the outlet reported.
In addition, a Dec. 17 statement released by the Madison Police Department does not reference the purported claims regarding Rupnow’s gender identity.
“The shooter has been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha. She was a student at the school, and evidence suggests she died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The official cause of death will be released by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office pending the conclusion of their thorough examination,” the statement reads.
Furthermore, PolitiFact recently debunked the claim. (RELATED: Fake Image Of Luigi Mangione In “Sailor Moon” Costume Shared Online)
Check Your Fact has contacted the Madison Police Department for comment.
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