A 20-year-old man from Carlsbad, California, has been accused of collaborating with Samantha Rupnow, the Madison school shooter, to plan a coordinated attack. According to a gun violence restraining order obtained by CBS 8, Alexander Paffendorf was in communication with Rupnow, planning to target a local government building while she executed her attack at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
The restraining order shows that the FBI discovered text messages exchanged between Paffendorf and Rupnow, detailing their plans. In an interview with the FBI, Paffendorf confessed to his plans which included explosives and firearms to bomb a governmental building. The restraining order issued by the Carlsbad Police Department permits law enforcement to seize weapons from Paffendorf’s residence, but this is a civil rather than a criminal case.
Prompting the quick reaction of police in reaction was an order of arrest from December 17 by a San Diego Superior Court judge. Multiple sources describe Paffendorf’s neighbors witnessing over a dozen cars parked on their street along with several policemen. “They had their full guns out all over the street,” reports Alex Gallegos.
The supposed plot role by Paffendorf was two days after the Rupnow attacked Abundant Life Christian School on December 15, killing one student and a teacher before turning the gun on herself. A total of five other students, plus a teacher, got injured by the attack.
Local authorities from Madison are leading the investigation into the school shooting, while the FBI has assumed the responsibility of investigating the involvement of Paffendorf. CBS 8 contacted the Carlsbad Police and the FBI for comments, but there is no further information regarding the incident as the process of investigation continues.
This incident strongly emphasizes the need for vigilance and prompt action to prevent coordinated attacks, especially by young persons with access to weapons.
