In a notable decision, a Dane County judge has refused to dismiss charges against Jeffrey Rupnow, the father of a Madison school shooter, thus ensuring the continuation of his criminal trial.
Jeffrey Rupnow, aged 43 and residing in Madison, faces serious charges, including a felony for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two felony counts for deliberately providing a dangerous weapon to a minor. This decision follows a tragic incident from last year.
According to prosecutors, Rupnow gave his 15-year-old daughter access to handguns that were subsequently used in a fatal shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on December 16, 2024. The tragic event resulted in the death of two individuals, followed by the teen’s suicide.
In July, a court commissioner confirmed there was enough evidence for the charges to proceed. Rupnow’s legal counsel, Lisa Goldman, filed for dismissal shortly thereafter, contesting the charges’ validity under state law.
Rupnow reportedly informed investigators of keeping his firearms secured in a locked safe but admitted to providing the safe’s combination, which was his Social Security number in reverse, to his daughter “just in case she would ever have to get in.”
In her dismissal plea, Goldman claimed Rupnow did not commit a crime according to state law. She argued, “(Rupnow’s daughter) accessed the Glock and discharged it without Rupnow’s knowledge or consent, and that she discharged it contrary to her gun safety education.” Furthermore, she emphasized that Rupnow only offered a clue to the safe’s combination, not direct access.
Despite these arguments, Judge Ellen Berz determined that several of Rupnow’s defenses were not timely presented and dismissed claims of inaccuracies in the complaint. She also upheld the constitutionality of the charges, asserting that the application of Wis. Stat. 948.60(2) aligns with historical regulations on firearms.
The case is scheduled for a conference on June 26.
