Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Author Leaks NIU Gunman's Secret Past

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 14, 2009 7:00 PM CST

(Newser) – The student whose killing spree took five lives and injured 18 at Northern Illinois University had a history of mental illness and revered figures like Adolf Hitler and Ted Bundy, CNN reports on the first anniversary of the attacks. Steven Kazmierczak even wore a tattoo depicting Jigsaw, the Saw films' sadistic narrator, and had a history of attempted suicide. NIU police say they never got wind of such warnings.

"How could it be a red flag if it never came to us?" said the university's police chief. But David Vann, who culled the information on Kazmierczak for a book about the shootings, said the writing was on the wall. Kazmierczak had been hospitalized several times for mental illness and was known as "strange Steve" by roommates. "What does a mass murderer have to do to get noticed?" asked Vann.

This photo shows Steven Kazmierczak, identified as the gunman who killed five people at Northern Illinois University in February.
This photo shows Steven Kazmierczak, identified as the gunman who killed five people at Northern Illinois University in February.   (Associated Press)
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.   (Associated Press)
This undated photo released by tattoo artist Jason Dunavan shows the right arm of NIU shooter Steven Kazmierczak with the a tattoo of a character from the movie The Saw.
This undated photo released by tattoo artist Jason Dunavan shows the right arm of NIU shooter Steven Kazmierczak with the a tattoo of a character from the movie "The Saw."   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Questions Linger as NIU Classes Resume

Police Can't Find Motive in NIU Shooting

Lover Airs NIU Shooter's Letter

Mental Illness Drove NIU Killer to Suicide Tries

NIU Shooter Saw Himself as Sensitive Victim


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne