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Chris Harper Mercer was enrolled at the college where he made bloody last stand Chris Harper Mercer was enrolled at college where he shot dead nine people
(about 7 hours later)
Related: Oregon shooting: a dozen minutes that brought chaos to the classroomRelated: Oregon shooting: a dozen minutes that brought chaos to the classroom
Chris Harper Mercer was enrolled at the Oregon college where he made his deadly rampage, it has emerged, giving a fresh twist to his choice of target.Chris Harper Mercer was enrolled at the Oregon college where he made his deadly rampage, it has emerged, giving a fresh twist to his choice of target.
Apparently obsessed by the notoriety of mass murderers, he selected the campus which was supposed to give him a fresh start for a bloody last stand.Apparently obsessed by the notoriety of mass murderers, he selected the campus which was supposed to give him a fresh start for a bloody last stand.
“He was a student at Umpqua Community college and was enrolled in the class where the mass shooting took place,” said Douglas county sheriff John Hanlin, correcting earlier accounts which said Mercer had no connection to the school.“He was a student at Umpqua Community college and was enrolled in the class where the mass shooting took place,” said Douglas county sheriff John Hanlin, correcting earlier accounts which said Mercer had no connection to the school.
The killer went to Umpqua college wearing body armour and with enough firepower – three handguns and a rifle, plus lots of ammunition – for a potential siege, according to investigators.The killer went to Umpqua college wearing body armour and with enough firepower – three handguns and a rifle, plus lots of ammunition – for a potential siege, according to investigators.
It was unclear if he knew any of his victims. There were unconfirmed reports he left an angry note.It was unclear if he knew any of his victims. There were unconfirmed reports he left an angry note.
A total of 13 weapons were found at the campus and during a search of his apartment.A total of 13 weapons were found at the campus and during a search of his apartment.
Related: 994 mass shootings in 1,004 days: this is what America's gun crisis looks likeRelated: 994 mass shootings in 1,004 days: this is what America's gun crisis looks like
Fresh details about Mercer depicted a troubled young man who tried, in vain, to get a drifting life on track.Fresh details about Mercer depicted a troubled young man who tried, in vain, to get a drifting life on track.
He enlisted in the US army in 2008, two years after his parents divorced, but lasted only five weeks in basic training before dropping out for unspecified reasons.He enlisted in the US army in 2008, two years after his parents divorced, but lasted only five weeks in basic training before dropping out for unspecified reasons.
He then attended the Switzer Center, a private, nonprofit school in Torrance, California, for students with learning disabilities, including autism and Asperger’s Disorder, according to its website.He then attended the Switzer Center, a private, nonprofit school in Torrance, California, for students with learning disabilities, including autism and Asperger’s Disorder, according to its website.
In Roseburg Mercer lived with his mother. Neighbours described an anti-social loner yet Mercer worked as a set designer at Umpqua college’s theatre and was listed among the crew for an autumn production of Blithe Spirit.In Roseburg Mercer lived with his mother. Neighbours described an anti-social loner yet Mercer worked as a set designer at Umpqua college’s theatre and was listed among the crew for an autumn production of Blithe Spirit.
“He was a little socially awkward. But he was nice, friendly,” Rebecca Miles, a 20-year-old student who worked with him, told the Los Angeles Times.“He was a little socially awkward. But he was nice, friendly,” Rebecca Miles, a 20-year-old student who worked with him, told the Los Angeles Times.
Related: Oregon college shooting is all the more reason to carry guns, say local residentsRelated: Oregon college shooting is all the more reason to carry guns, say local residents
Roseberg was still struggling to come to terms with his actions. Joleen Conner, 36, queuing with dozens of others to donate blood at a mobile blood bank, said she had graduated from UCC three years ago and knew people caught up in Thursday’s rampage.Roseberg was still struggling to come to terms with his actions. Joleen Conner, 36, queuing with dozens of others to donate blood at a mobile blood bank, said she had graduated from UCC three years ago and knew people caught up in Thursday’s rampage.
“I had pins and needles waiting to hear from everyone. This is hard. We’re very tight-knit here.”“I had pins and needles waiting to hear from everyone. This is hard. We’re very tight-knit here.”
At a McDonald’s across the street it was the only topic, with diners exchanging unverified and in some cases wildly inaccurate reports about the massacre.At a McDonald’s across the street it was the only topic, with diners exchanging unverified and in some cases wildly inaccurate reports about the massacre.
“Who could have expected this, here?” asked one elderly woman. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”“Who could have expected this, here?” asked one elderly woman. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”