Christopher Harper-Mercer, 26, who moved to Oregon from the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, California, was officially identified on Friday as the assailant in the rampage at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, which ranks as the deadliest among dozens of USA mass shootings in the past two years.
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Obama addressed the nation from the White House after 13 people were killed by a 20-year-old gunman at Umpqua Community College in southwestern Oregon.
A few of you guys are alright.
Among them was army veteran Chris Mintz, who was shot several times after charging the gunman but survived.
According to data compiled by Mass Shooting Tracker, a watchdog group, there have been 142 school shootings in the United States since 20 elementary school students and six adults were killed by gunman Adam Lanza in Connecticut in 2012.
“He was able to stand there and start asking people one by one what their religion was”, Boylan said, relating the ordeal as described by his daughter.
But Nesnick, who said she hadn’t seen Mercer in more than a year, told the television station her stepbrother was not a religious nor anti-religious person and that her family is Christian. A message on 4chan – a forum where racist and misogynistic comments are frequent – warned of an impending attack, but it’s unclear if it came from Harper-Mercer.
His father, Ian Mercer, told reporters gathered outside his Tarzana home where he and his wife live, said he was “just as shocked as anybody else”, but declined to answer questions.
Merkley was born just south of Roseburg and still has family there.
Quinn Cooper was from Roseburg, the sheriff’s office said.
“It kind makes people feel safe with the police presence around, it lets them know we’re here, we’re always looking around for things that might be suspicious and that we do care about our community”, said Ceaser.
“When we talked about guns and hunting, he was real open about it”, said neighbor, Louie Flores, 32. A man opened fire at the school before dying in a shootout with police.
Mercer enlisted in the army in 2008, but was discharged after less than a month in basic training, for reasons unknown.
Garrett did not say which standards Mercer failed. Recruits must also pass a multiple-choice test covering science, math, reading comprehension and other topics.
Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin declined to name the gunman, saying, “Again, you will not hear anyone from this law enforcement operation use his name”.
CNN reported his writings revealed “hatred” toward black men and how he was frustrated being a virgin left him unable to find a girlfriend. Merkley says he’s been in touch with local officials to express his condolences and offer assistance.
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Hundreds went to a candlelight vigil Thursday night, with many raising candles as the hymn “Amazing Grace” was played. “There’s 10, 9 kids who won’t get those doors opened”, he said.
