Erin West Madison Obituary: Kennesaw State alumna named among Wisconsin school shooting victims
A Kennesaw State University graduate has been identified as one of the victims in a tragic school shooting that occurred earlier this week in Madison, Wisconsin.
Authorities have confirmed the two individuals killed in the incident as 42-year-old Erin West and 14-year-old Rubi P. Vergara. On Thursday, Kennesaw State University announced that West earned her degree in early childhood education in 2005.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Erin West, a KSU alumna whose life was taken far too soon in an act of senseless violence. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who are mourning this unimaginable tragedy,” the university said in a statement.
Reports indicate that West had worked as a substitute teacher for three years before transitioning to a full-time position as an in-house substitute teacher and coordinator.
According to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, the shooting occurred on Monday when a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison shot and killed a fellow student and a teacher before turning the gun on herself. Two other students injured in the attack remained in critical condition as of Wednesday.
Additionally, a 20-year-old man from Carlsbad has been accused of conspiring to carry out a mass shooting at a government building in connection with the school shooter, identified as Samantha Rupnow.
This tragedy is one of many school shootings that have shaken communities across the U.S. in recent years, including high-profile incidents in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas.