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Health Club Gunman Questioned, Freed by Cops

Shooter quizzed over grenade report

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 10, 2009 11:03 AM CDT

(AP) – The Pennsylvania man who shot up a women's aerobics class, killing three people and then himself, was questioned a week earlier by police because he matched the description of a man seen pulling what appeared to be a grenade from a computer bag, authorities said today. Police let George Sodini go because they couldn't confirm he was the man spotted.

Questioned about the incident, Sodini denied it, and the witness failed to ID him. "There wasn't much more we could do," says Allegheny County's police superintendent. But after the shooting, investigators found writings in Sodini's home that referenced the incident.

This image taken from an undated video apparently recorded by George Sodini shows Sodini talking into the camera in the basement of his Pittsburgh, Pa. home.
This image taken from an undated video apparently recorded by George Sodini shows Sodini talking into the camera in the basement of his Pittsburgh, Pa. home.   (AP Photo)
This police handout shows George Sodini who police say opened fire in a women's aerobics class at the LA Fitness in the Great Southern shopping center in Bridgeville, Pa., Aug. 4, 2009.
This police handout shows George Sodini who police say opened fire in a women's aerobics class at the LA Fitness in the Great Southern shopping center in Bridgeville, Pa., Aug. 4, 2009.   (Gene J. Puskar)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
cognitivefilter
Aug 11, 2009 6:20 AM CDT
i recommend BBC's 'psychopath'
ChickenChopper
Aug 10, 2009 6:03 AM CDT
why? do you keep a diary?
Revenge_of_Mint
Aug 10, 2009 5:21 AM CDT
Does every fucked up crazy person keep a diary?

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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