California man Alexander Paffendorf accused of plotting co-ordinated attack with Wisconsin school shooter
A California man has been arrested for plotting a coordinated attack with Wisconsin school shooter Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow.
Alexander Paffendorf, 20, of Carlsbad, was detained by FBI agents on suspicion of “conspiracy” to coordinate a mass shooting at government buildings with Rupnow, according to an emergency gun violence ban rated by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“During an FBI interview, Paffendorf admitted to FBI agents that he told Rupnow he would arm himself with explosives and a handgun that he would aim at a government building,” the warrant said.
It notes that FBI agents “saw Paffendorf’s messages to Rupnow.”
A San Diego judge approved the order Tuesday, requiring Paffendorf to surrender all firearms and ammunition and banning him from acquiring any more.
Shortly afterwards, neighbors told CBS8 they saw well over a dozen police cars drive into the apartment complex where Paffendorf lives.
“They had their full guns all over the street,” said neighbor Alex Gallegos. ‘They were police cars. I estimate about fifteen officers here.’
He said he saw police coming out of the building with what he described as a “black gun case.”
A California man has been arrested for allegedly plotting a coordinated attack with Abundant Life Christian School shooter Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow (pictured)
Officers were seen entering Paffedorf’s Carlsbad apartment carrying a “black gun case.”
‘I saw them carrying the big coffin. I didn’t see them arrest anyone, but they were giving high fives as it ended.”
Paffendorf is now scheduled to appear in court on January 3.
It was not immediately clear how Paffendorf knew Rupnow, and Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told the Journal Sentinel he had no information about the California arrest and referred questions to the FBI.
Meanwhile, police in Wisconsin are still trying to determine what Rupnow’s motive may have been in Monday’s shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, saying it appears to have been a “combination of factors.”
“Some have asked if people were specifically targeted. Everyone was targeted in this incident and everyone was in equal danger,” Barnes said, according to CNN.
Substitute coordinator Erin West, 42, and 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara was shot in the attack before 15-year-old Rupnow turned the gun on himself. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office made the announcement Wednesday.
Six others were injured in the shooting and two were left in critical condition.
14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara was killed in the school shooting
Rupnow opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday
This is a current news item and will be updated.