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NIU Shooter Saw Himself as Sensitive Victim

Kazmierczak's essays trace path from group home to dean's list

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2008 12:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – Steven Kazmierczak didn’t leave a note before his deadly February shooting spree at Northern Illinois University, nor clues to his motivations on his computer or cell phone. But in essays for graduate-school applications, the Chicago Tribune reports, the future killer writes extensively about his life and his mental problems—including a stint in a group home.

Far from a picture of a repressed future killer, Kazmierczak comes across as a success story. Though he felt “victimized” in his adolescence, he was eventually inspired by a social worker to help people with similar problems. “I view myself as being able to relate to those … that are in need of direction,” he wrote. “Everyone … may need someone to rely on.”

This undated image obtained from a MySpace webpage shows Steven Kazmierczak.
This undated image obtained from a MySpace webpage shows Steven Kazmierczak.   (AP Photo)
Steven Kazmierczak smiles in this file photo, released Feb. 15, 2008, by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Steven Kazmierczak smiles in this file photo, released Feb. 15, 2008, by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   (AP Photo/University of Illinois)
Three hearts bearing names of three of the five NIU shooting victims hang from a tree on campus in this file photo.
Three hearts bearing names of three of the five NIU shooting victims hang from a tree on campus in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
This photo, supplied by Richard Grafer, shows Steven Kazmierczak at the time of his 8th grade graduation in 1994.
This photo, supplied by Richard Grafer, shows Steven Kazmierczak at the time of his 8th grade graduation in 1994.   (AP Photo/Richard Grafer via Chicago Sun Times)
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