Striking Similarities and Overlap in Online Footprints and Extremist Content of Teen School Shooters, ADL Research Shows
Original Press Release: August 21, 2025, 7 am EST, by the ADL
ADL unveils interactive timeline and associated resources exposing dangers of violent and extremist online communities and platforms; reaches out to 16,000 superintendents
New York, NY, August 21, 2025 | A new research project released today by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Center on Extremism illustrates through an interactive timeline the online footprints of Natalie (Samantha) Rupnow and Solomon Henderson, two school shooters who carried out rampages in different states in late 2024 and early 2025 respectively, and highlights the online spaces that blend a variety of extremist ideologies with violent content that they were both active on in the months that preceded their shootings.
The timeline highlights other striking similarities in their online paths. Rupnow and Henderson were both part of the "True Crime Community" (TCC) and engaged with white supremacists, violent misogynists and antisemites. After creating accounts on the gore site WatchPeopleDie (WPD), both shooters posted, reposted, endorsed, replied to or otherwise engaged with extremist content – including 764-affiliated accounts and content related to mass killers on both mainstream and fringe platforms.
As part of this project, ADL also released in-depth research about WPD, which goes into more detail about extremist activity on the site, as well as another article on how white supremacists recruit young people. Both Rupnow and Henderson created accounts on WPD in June 2023, a platform where users can post and view real images and videos of extreme violence (including murder, torture, rape, executions, beheadings, suicides and more). Rupnow and Henderson carried out their attacks 18 and 19 months after creating WPD accounts, respectively. This is where their journeys into violent extremism began to mirror each other.
These incidents are a stark reminder that online exposure to violence and extremism, combined with personal factors such as home and school life, can profoundly influence impressionable youth—and may even inspire deadly, on-the-ground acts.
"Kids and teens today have lived their entire lives with easy internet access, putting them even more at risk of encountering violent extremism online," said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. "ADL has been alerting about the dangers of these online communities and activity for years. Extremist ideas combined with gore websites can inspire users to seek out more extremist content, while violence on extremist platforms can inspire others to look for even more violent content. It's a vicious cycle, especially for young people. We hope this research guides all stakeholders in taking action to prevent future attacks.”
As part of this research project, which is meant to raise awareness and highlight the dangers of some online communities and activity, ADL is also taking action to support law enforcement, educators and parents in understanding the dangers of these online communities. Moreover, ADL is reaching out to 16,000 school superintendents with this timeline and is urging them to consider how their students may be able to access the type of dangerous content highlighted in the timeline while on their campuses and in their classrooms.
“Extremism, hate, and violent gore are just a click away for many children—making it urgent for schools and parents to implement safeguards. These toxic online spaces can cause devastating harm in our communities and are increasingly becoming central to the broader violent extremist landscape,” said Oren Segal, ADL’s SVP of Counter-Extremism and Intelligence.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.