A California man, Alexander Paffendorf, apologized on Friday for his connection to a 15-year-old girl who carried out a shooting at a religious school in Wisconsin. He addressed the judge, saying he was ready to face the consequences of his actions but did not explain exactly what role he played in the tragic event.
Paffendorf’s brief apology came just before the judge extended a ruling that required him to surrender his guns and ammunition until April 4. Although he did not go into detail, authorities have said that Paffendorf admitted to FBI agents that he had been messaging Natalie Rupnow, the 15-year-old shooter, about an attack involving guns and explosives at a government building. Rupnow was a student at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, and had gone by the name Samantha, according to Madison police.
On December 16, Rupnow opened fire at the school, killing two people: Rubi Patricia Vergara, a 14-year-old freshman, and Erin Michelle West, a 42-year-old teacher. At least six others were injured, some of them with life-threatening wounds. Police have not yet revealed the motive behind the shooting, and Rupnow later took her own life.
The day after the attack, a judge in California issued a restraining order against Paffendorf under the state’s gun red flag law. This order required him to turn over his firearms and ammunition to the authorities. As of now, he has not been charged with any crime related to the shooting.
Paffendorf appeared via video in a shirt and tie at the hearing on Friday. He was prepared for a discussion about whether the restraining order should remain in place. However, the judge decided to delay the hearing after a representative for the city of Carlsbad, where Paffendorf lives, stated that he was under criminal investigation. The judge decided it was better to wait for the investigation to be completed, as Paffendorf did not yet have legal representation. The FBI expects to finish the investigation in about two to three months.
The restraining order does not specify which government building Paffendorf allegedly planned to target, nor does it explain when he intended to carry out the attack. It does, however, state that Paffendorf was involved in plotting a mass shooting with Rupnow.
