This post originally appeared at https://wisconsindailystar.com/news/madison-police-working-to-authenticate-alleged-manifesto-left-by-15-year-old-natalie-rupnow-but-urge-media-against-sharing/tpappert/2024/12/18/

Madison Police Department (MPD) Chief Shon Barnes on Tuesday said his department is not yet able to authenticate the documents published to X by Reduxx Founder Anna Slatz, who claims she obtained the manifesto left by Natalie Rupnow, who police say killed two and injured seven in an attack on the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday.

Despite being unable to authenticate the document, Barnes cautioned press members against sharing the document. The caution comes despite the department naming Rupnow as the suspected killer on Monday.

“We know a document has been widely shared on social media. At this time, we cannot verify its authenticity,” said Barnes in a Tuesday press briefing. “We have detectives working today to determine where this document originated and who actually shared it online. At this time, we cannot verify the document. We ask that you not share the document or spread any information that may be false. Our department will provide an update on this document when we can,” Barnes stated.

The police chief promised his department was “committed to transparency” and would “continue to release information that can be used to improve public safety,” but cautioned that the circumstances of the crime necessitated “a thorough and complete investigation.”

Barnes also told media members that he would not answer questions. He asserted that any questions left unanswered by his press briefing cannot be answered “due to an ongoing investigation.”

The chief nonetheless described the process his detectives will use to authenticate the purported manifesto.

“Again, we are working to authenticate the documents that you see online, that some are referring to as a manifesto, and as soon as we do that, we will let you know,” said Barnes. He told the media, “the process for doing that is looking at original documents that may have been taken from the suspect’s home, looking at information that may be on laptops, or on computers, to determine if this document originated from our suspect.”

According to Slatz, the manifesto was sent to her by an X user who claimed to be the suspected killer’s online boyfriend, who sent the journalist a screen recording showing him open the file as it was sent to him by Rupnow through WhatsApp, a messaging application owned by Meta.

Despite Slatz and other reporters claiming Rupnow had a significant presence on social media, Barnes said police “will not be releasing specifics about the social media accounts at this time.”

Barnes also corrected his previous statement that a second-grade student made the original call to the police about the shooting. On Tuesday, Barnes said it was made by a second-grade teacher.

The chief similarly said a motive remains unclear, telling the press, “it appears the motive was a combination of factors.” He also expressed hesitance to reveal specific information “because we do not want to jeopardize the investigation of those who are currently cooperating with us.”

Both MPD and the FBI have yet to respond to inquiries about the shooting from The Tennessee Star, including requests for information about Rupnow’s mental health, and to confirm whether the federal agency is assisting with the investigation.

Watch the full press briefing:

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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to pappert.tom@proton.me.
Photo “Police Chief Shon Barnes” by NTD.

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