California Man Apologizes for Connection to Wisconsin School Shooting

Alexander Paffendorf, a California resident, issued an apology on Friday for his ties to a 15-year-old girl involved in a tragic shooting at a religious school in Wisconsin, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals. During a court appearance, he acknowledged the consequences of his actions, although he did not clarify his involvement in detail. Authorities previously indicated that Paffendorf had communicated with the shooter, Natalie Rupnow, about potential plans to assault a government building using firearms and explosives.

On December 16, at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Rupnow, also known as Samantha, took the lives of 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara and 42-year-old teacher Erin Michelle West before turning the gun on herself. The incident also left several others injured with varying degrees of severity, but a clear motive has yet to be determined. Following the shooting, a restraining order was placed against Paffendorf, mandating that he relinquish his firearms under California's gun red flag law, even though he has not faced any criminal charges.

During the hearing, Paffendorf joined via video, dressed formally, and expressed his willingness to proceed concerning the restraining order's validity. However, the judge postponed the deliberation after a city attorney mentioned that Paffendorf was subject to a criminal investigation, advising that the hearing should be delayed in the interest of his case, especially since he currently lacks legal representation. An investigating detective revealed to the court that the FBI anticipated concluding their inquiries within two to three months. Details surrounding Paffendorf's alleged plot, including specific targets or timelines, remain undisclosed in the restraining order.