A Southern California man who exchanged numerous messages with a mass shooter at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin has been barred from owning firearms for at least three years.
Alexander Paffendorf, 21, will remain subject to a restraining order that prevents him from buying guns.
Paffendorf sent several messages to Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, a 15-year-old Wisconsin girl who fatally shot one student and one teacher at the Madison Christian school in in December 2024. Rupnow also wounded six more victims and died by suicide at the scene, cops said.
Some of Paffendorf’s messages included bomb making suggestions and his own purported plans to purchase a gun and attack a government building, according to authorities.
At Monday’s hearing, cops said Paffendorf told them he only sent the messages in hopes of pursuing a romantic relationship with Rupnow and they were “off the cuff” comments not serious threats, San Diego CBS affiliate KFMB reported.
Still, Judge Blair Soper said the case was “just too severe” to allow Paffendorf to possibly purchase firearms.
When Paffendorf was originally detained by police in December, no guns or bomb making materials were found in his residence. He is not expected to face any criminal charges in the case.
With News Wire Services
