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Church Shooter Marked 'Death Day' in Planner

Authorities baffled on motive; Lyme 'doesn't cause' shooting: expert

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The man charged with killing an Illinois pastor during a Sunday service appears to have planned the attack, having marked the date “Death Day” in his planner, the AP reports. But authorities are still stymied over a motive behind the attack. Terry Sedlacek was a quiet kid working in his family’s restaurant before he was hospitalized; afterward, he behaved strangely, sometimes barking and jerking his body.

He had never been threatening, said an acquaintance. His lawyer said Lyme disease had mentally crippled his client, but an expert on the disease said it “doesn't cause people to shoot people.” “The only thing I can really comment on is he came armed with many rounds of ammunition and a knife, and I think we can surmise that more bloodshed may have occurred,” said a state attorney.


A display is shown outside the First Baptist Church as the church prepares for prayer and grief counseling in Maryville, Ill., Monday, March 9, 2009.
A display is shown outside the First Baptist Church as the church prepares for prayer and grief counseling in Maryville, Ill., Monday, March 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Illinois State Police director Larry Trent, right, speaks at a news conference about the shooting as Maryville Police chief Rich Schardan, left, listens, Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Collinsville, Ill.
Illinois State Police director Larry Trent, right, speaks at a news conference about the shooting as Maryville Police chief Rich Schardan, left, listens, Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Collinsville, Ill.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A sign posted by a neighbor pressing for prayer in a subdivision where Terry J. Sedlacek lived is seen in Troy, Ill., Monday, March 9, 2009.
A sign posted by a neighbor pressing for prayer in a subdivision where Terry J. Sedlacek lived is seen in Troy, Ill., Monday, March 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Mar 12, 2009 6:11 AM CDT
We all know it was the Twinkies that caused it.
Mad
Mar 10, 2009 2:38 AM CDT
I respect his lawyer is defending him, but STOP THE BULLSHIT LIE that Lyme cause's mental illness. The disease is completely misunderstood, spreading high profile lies only further mystifies the disease

The investigation continues
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Video on the incident
Chicago Tribune

 
Illinois • Lyme disease • church shootings • shooting • pastor • Terry Joe Sedlacek • Fred Winters

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