Alexander Paffendorf, 20, apologized Friday for his connection to an attack where 15-year-old student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison Wisconsin. The shooter used a 9mm handgun to kill 2 and wound 6. The shooter did not survive the massacre. One student and one teacher were killed. An additional 2 students were in critical condition with 4 in less serious condition. 2 of the wounded have already been released from the hospital.
The California man told a judge he was prepared to accept the consequences of his actions without explaining his precise role. He expressed his regret for his involvement, as the judge offered him a chance to speak before keeping an order to confiscate his guns and ammunition in place. He told FBI agents that had been messaging Natalie Rupnow, the Wisconsin shooter, before the deadly attack. He spoke to her about attacking a government building with a gun and explosives.
One day after the shooting, California judge issued a restraining order against Paffendorf. This was done under the the state’s gun red flag law. While he has not been charged with a crime, he was forced to turn in his weapons and ammunition into the police. Paffendorf, appeared before the judge by video in a collared shirt and tie. He said he was ready for a hearing on whether the restraining order should stay in effect.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Devon Lomayesva delayed consideration after an attorney for the city of Carlsbad, north of San Diego, said Paffendorf was under criminal investigation. The judge determined that it was in his Paffendorf’s interest to delay the hearing because he is under investigation. Paffendorf does not have a lawyer.
The Red Flag order doesn’t say what government building Paffendorf targeted. It does not identify when he planned to launch his attack. It also doesn’t detail his interactions with the student except to state that he was plotting a mass shooting with her. An agent old the judge that the FBI expected the investigation to conclude within two to three months.
Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school that houses approximately 420 students from pre-k to 12th grade in Madison, the state capital. Police Chief Shon Barnes said, “Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. … We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.“ He added that “Everyone was targeted in this incident and everyone was put in equal danger.” Police do not believe that anyone was targeted specifically.
Barnes said that the shooter’s father, as well as the rest of the family, was cooperating with police. “He lost someone as well,” Barnes said of Rupnow’s father. “And so we’re not going to rush the information. We’ll take our time and make sure we do our due diligence.” Police have searched the shooter’s home for clues related to the attack. “They were cooperative. Despite this tragedy, they still lost a child. They still lost a member of their family,” Barnes said.