Crime
Remembering the Victims of the Abundant Life Christian School Shooting
Remembering the Victims of the Abundant Life Christian School Shooting
MADISON, Wis. – The Abundant Life Christian School community continues to mourn the tragic loss of two lives following the devastating shooting on Monday morning. Ninth grader Rubi Patricia Vergara and teacher Erin Michelle West were killed in the attack, the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Wednesday.
Six others were injured, with two remaining hospitalized as of Wednesday. The remaining four have been discharged. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed.
Honoring Erin Michelle West
Erin Michelle West, 42, was a beloved teacher who lived in DeForest, Wisconsin. Known for her kindness and dedication, West worked as a substitute teacher for three years before becoming the school’s substitute coordinator.
Students and colleagues fondly remembered West’s caring nature. Angel Brube, a seventh grader who was present during the shooting, described her as “kind and caring” with a talent for communication.
Sophomore Mackynzie Wilson shared similar sentiments, recalling her teacher’s love for her family and students. “She was so excited to see her daughters grow up and what they were going to be and do with their lives,” Wilson said.
West’s warmth extended to everyone at the school. “She would have done anything for them,” Wilson added. “I just wish I could’ve gone back and given her a hug.”
Remembering Rubi Patricia Vergara
Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, was a freshman with a bright artistic future. Her obituary described her as an “avid reader” who loved art, singing, and playing the keyboard in her family’s worship band.
Vergara’s love for animals was unmatched, as she shared a deep bond with her pets, Ginger the cat and Coco the dog.
Her funeral service is scheduled for Saturday in Madison, with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
A Community United in Grief
The loss of these two cherished lives has left a lasting impact on the Abundant Life Christian School community. As the survivors heal and families cope with the tragedy, the memories of Erin Michelle West and Rubi Patricia Vergara remain a source of inspiration and love.
Tags: Madison Shooting, Abundant Life Christian School, Erin Michelle West, Rubi Patricia Vergara, Community Grief
Teresa Youngblut faces federal firearm charges linked to the death of Agent David Maland.
BURLINGTON, Vt. — Teresa Youngblut, a 21-year-old woman from the Seattle area, has entered a not guilty plea to federal firearm charges related to the fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont this January.
Youngblut is accused of using a deadly weapon to assault a Border Patrol agent and discharging a firearm during the incident. The charges stem from a traffic stop in northern Vermont that escalated into a shootout, resulting in the deaths of Agent Maland and Youngblut’s companion, Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen.
During a hearing in Burlington on Friday, Youngblut was ordered to remain in custody. Her next court appearance is set for May 8.
Investigators have revealed that the firearm used in the Vermont shooting was purchased by an individual linked to the December 31, 2022, murders of Richard and Rita Zajko in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania. Court documents filed by U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher indicate that Youngblut and the gun buyer were in regular contact with a person of interest detained in connection with the Pennsylvania case, who is also being investigated for a separate homicide in California.
Youngblut, a graduate of the prestigious Lakeside School in north Seattle, had filed for a marriage license in November with Maximilian Snyder. Snyder, who also attended Lakeside School, is currently facing charges for the fatal stabbing of a man in northern California.
According to the FBI, Youngblut and Bauckholt had been under surveillance for several days prior to the January 20 shootout. Prior to the incident, the pair had been renting separate units in the same Chapel Hill, North Carolina, neighborhood. The property owner, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, stated that Bauckholt initially rented a unit through Airbnb in July 2023 before moving to a second unit later that year. Youngblut began renting the original unit in November 2024 and had paid nearly $10,000 to extend her stay through March.
The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the connections between the Vermont shooting and other violent crimes across the country.