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German Gunman Targeted Girls

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2009 3:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – German police are still seeking some twisted motive for a suicidal teen gunman who shot dead 14 people at his former high school, but he clearly appears to have targeted girls, reports the Telegraph. Tim Kretschmer, 17, killed nine former schoolmates, eight of them girls, as well as three female teachers at the school near Stuttgart. "He wasn't shooting wildly or randomly when he entered the classrooms. He primarily shot to the head," said a local official.

More would have likely died had it not been for the three teachers who blocked the young gunman from their students, said authorities. The teen "never had a girlfriend," according to a female student. "He was always a weirdo, obsessed with 'death metal' music and guns. He hated the world," she added. Kretschmer killed himself hours after the massacre when he was cornered by police.

A stuffed animal sits among memorial candles in front of the Albertville school in Winnenden, Germany, where a teenage gunman shot dead 14 people.
A stuffed animal sits among memorial candles in front of the Albertville school in Winnenden, Germany, where a teenage gunman shot dead 14 people.   (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Teens embrace as they mourn in front of the Albertville-School Centre today in Winnenden near Stuttgart, Germany, after 17-year-old Tim Kretschmer killed 14 before turning his gun on himself.
Teens embrace as they mourn in front of the Albertville-School Centre today in Winnenden near Stuttgart, Germany, after 17-year-old Tim Kretschmer killed 14 before turning his gun on himself.   (Getty Images)
Mourners huddle in front of a German school where a teen gunman shot dead 14 people before killing himself.
Mourners huddle in front of a German school where a teen gunman shot dead 14 people before killing himself.   (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
People place flowers and candles at a memorial near the spot where a German teen shot dead 14 people before killing himself.
People place flowers and candles at a memorial near the spot where a German teen shot dead 14 people before killing himself.   (AP Photo/Daniel Roland)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Mar 12, 2009 3:56 AM CDT
Sounds like someone else who, instead of cultivating himself, cultivated his gun instead. Guns sure take a lot less effort, unlike working on his life.

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