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US Webster gunman William Spengler left 'killing note' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man alleged to have lured two US volunteer firefighters to their deaths in Webster, New York left a long note outlining his plans, police say. | A man alleged to have lured two US volunteer firefighters to their deaths in Webster, New York left a long note outlining his plans, police say. |
They told a news conference that the gunman, identified as 62-year-old William Spengler, had three guns and aimed to burn down his neighbourhood. | They told a news conference that the gunman, identified as 62-year-old William Spengler, had three guns and aimed to burn down his neighbourhood. |
No motive was given but the note said he was planning to "do what I like doing best - killing people." | No motive was given but the note said he was planning to "do what I like doing best - killing people." |
The firefighters were shot dead as they arrived to tackle a fire on Monday. | The firefighters were shot dead as they arrived to tackle a fire on Monday. |
Seven homes on a narrow stretch of land beside Lake Ontario were destroyed by the fire and another two firemen were wounded in the attack. | |
Police Chief Gerald Pickering told reporters that Spengler, who apparently shot himself in the head, had used a .38 calibre revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun and a Bushmaster .223 calibre rifle with flash suppression. | |
The same make and calibre rifle had been used in the murder of 26 teachers and children at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut on 14 December, he said. | |
The police chief told reporters in Webster that a two- to three-page note from the gunman had been found in which he said: "I still have to get ready to see how much of the neighbourhood I can burn down and do what I like doing best - killing people." | |
'Clear ambush' | |
Spengler had served 17 years in jail for killing his grandmother with a hammer but had done nothing to attract the authorities' attention since being granted parole in 1998. | |
As a convicted criminal, he was not allowed to own weapons. | |
Police said he appeared to have set "a trap" by setting fire to his home. His older sister, Cheryl, whom he reportedly hated, is missing. | |
Two of the firefighters who responded to the call, Tomasz Kaczowka and Mike Chiapperini, were shot dead in what was described as a "clear ambush" on emergency services. | |
Their two wounded colleagues are said to be in a stable condition with gunshot wounds. | |
An off-duty police officer who was also shot and wounded as he came to their aid was praised by the police chief for saving people's lives. |