13 dead in gun massacre at US university
Killer ‘warned pals on web to skip school’
A GUNMAN ki l l ed 13 people and wounded up to 20 more at a US university campus yesterday.
The shooting – said to be America’s 45th school or college gun attack this year – took place in the science department at Umpqua Community College, an isolated campus outside the town of Roseburg in south-west Oregon.
After apparently boasting of his plans online the previous evening, the unnamed gunman walked between classrooms, shooting victims as he went.
He reportedly had a rifle and initially attacked a computer l ab, shooting through a door and hitting a female victim inside. He then moved to another classroom and opened fire on other students.
Heavily armed police rushed to the campus and exchanged fire with the gunman – said to be in his late twenties – as students and staff cowered under desks.
Last night Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin confirmed that the shooter was male and had been killed in an exchange of fire with police officers. He added: ‘It’s been a terrible day.’
Witnesses reported seeing students wrapped in blankets and covered in blood. One woman tweeted: ‘Students are running everywhere. Holy God.’ Others said they heard what sounded like fireworks for a minute and then complete silence.
After the attack, 11 people were taken to hospital, including a woman who was shot in the chest.
Two of the victims died in hospital. Last night Oregon attorney general
‘It’s been a terrible day’ THE GUNMAN’S CHILLING THREAT
Don’t go to school tomorrow if you are in the northwest... the horrible will pay for their misdeeds
Ellen Rosenbaum told a local TV station that 13 people had been killed in the attack, and up to 20 wounded.
The gunman seems to have revealed his intentions on a controversial internet chatsite called 4chan where users are able to post often highly offensive comments in complete anonymity. In a post written on Wednesday night, an unidentified person thought to be the shooter wrote: ‘Some of you guys are alright. Don’t go to school tomorrow if you are in the northwest.’
He added: ‘Happening thread will be posted tomorrow morning...so long space robots.’ Another message was addressed to ‘space robots’ and wished readers ‘an enjoyable Elliot Rodger day’ – a disturbing reference to the man who killed six people near the Santa Barbara University campus in California last year.
The user added: ‘Personally I will mark this day’s celebration of our Hero’s deeds by announcing that I have an elaborate plan...Needless to say; it shall be glorious.
‘The horrible kind of normies will pay for their misdeeds, and the world will be bettered.’
Under the sick message, several people gave the user advice about how to carry out a shooting. One wrote: ‘I suggest you enter a classroom and tell people that you will take them as hostages.
‘Make everyone get in one corner then open fire. Make sure there is no way that someone can disarm you as it is possible. I suggest you carry a knife on your belt as last resort.’ Another user wrote: ‘You might want to target a girls’ school which is safer because there are no beta males throwing themselves for their rescue. Do not use a shotgun. I would suggest a powerful assault rifle and a pistol or 2x pistols. Possibly the type of pistols who have 15+ ammo.’
Police are said to believe that the online discussion involved the gunman. They are now attempting to track down other anonymous users who took part in the conversation.
According to the anti-gun violence campaign group Everytown, the massacre marked the 45th shooting in a US school or university this year.
And there have been 294 ‘ mass shootings’ – in which more than one victim has been killed or wounded – across the country this year.