Neighbors of Wisconsin shooter describe the block’s new sadness

Madison: It’s been a tough time for the folks in this neighborhood. Just the other day, a 15-year-old girl named Natalie Rupnow shot two people and injured several others at her school. Can you believe that?

Adam De Wilde, one of the neighbors, was just taking out the trash when he saw a bunch of police cars. He thought it was strange since they rarely see cops around. He later found out that the chaos was due to the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, which is not far from his home.

He watched as the SWAT team rolled in, and it was intense. They even used explosives to get into the house across the street. At first, he thought it was a drug bust or something. But then, the reality hit him hard.

After the police went inside, he was left waiting, feeling anxious. Thankfully, they didn’t find anyone inside, just the family dog. But the whole situation left him feeling uneasy.

Suzy De Wilde, Adam’s wife, shared how surreal it feels to see the house where the shooter lived. She used to see Natalie playing in the park nearby. Now, every time she washes dishes, she’s reminded of the tragedy. It’s just heartbreaking.

The crime scene is still active, and the police are looking for more evidence. Sadly, Natalie took her own life before the police arrived. Her parents are cooperating with the investigation, but the community is still in shock.

Two students are still in critical condition, and the whole neighborhood is feeling the weight of this tragedy. Suzy, who works in healthcare, mentioned how everyone is talking about it. It’s on everyone’s mind, and the flags are at half-mast.

There’s a candlelight vigil planned to honor the victims, and local leaders are stepping up to support the community. It’s a tough time, and people are trying to figure out how to help each other.

As Suzy said, if they had kids, this isn’t the world they’d want for them. It’s a sad reminder of how fragile life can be.