Wischhusen had talked about planning a Columbine-style attack and had drawn up a kill-list of victims
Gunman Reed Wischhusen, 32, who is fascinated by mass shootings and infamous killers, is facing jail after being found guilty of a string of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges. The Lidl warehouse worker was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of having an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate.
Wischhusen had drawn up the 'kill-list' of former classmates and others he wanted to target, a jury was told. He told the trial he had 'hated' all the individuals on the list - but claimed he was too much of a "coward" to carry out what he described as a "fantasy." Giving evidence during the trial, the defendant accepted he had a long fascination with guns and had a number of weapons, including an antique shotgun that hung on his wall and a "homemade" submachine gun. He was also storing chemicals that could be used to make IEDs, the court heard.
One included a "diversion stage" where he would "get back at the school, walk in and shoot a few teachers dead, and throw a pipe bomb or two to stir things up." Another scenario he wrote would involve triggering the fire alarm at Avon and Somerset Police HQ and "plant pressure cooker bombs at the fire assembly point and detonate them, then open fire at staff with submachine guns etc.
In the document, he also wrote: "Yes, revenge is on my mind it's a powerful motivator, be nice to get back at the people who caused me stress and worry over the years it's been eating away at my brain like cancer." The trial heard that alongside his firearms he also stored vast quantities of chemicals that could be used to create ‘IEDs’, a court heard.
He added: "I wanted them to shoot me dead - not to shoot them dead." In closing arguments, Mr Rees KC told the jury after acquiring such an arsenal his "promise" that it would remain a fantasy was "worthless."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Reed Wischhusen: Man found guilty of planning mass shootingReed Wischhusen planned a 'hitman-style attack' targeting people he believed had wronged him.
Read more »
Somerset man Reed Wischhusen found guilty of planning ‘hitman-style’ mass shootingThe Lidl warehouse worker will face sentencing on 15 December
Read more »
Man talked of 'fantasy' with mass shootingsIn a police interview, Reed Wischhusen revealed a 'macabre interest' in shootings.
Read more »
Lidl to host Glasgow event where you taste top wines in complete darknessThe supermarket chain is bringing its festive wine tasting in the dark event series Chateaux Noir event back to Glasgow. It sees guests immersed in total darkness for a series of brand-new blind tasting sessions.
Read more »
Wetherby Lidl: Fresh support for new Leeds supermarket as multi-million pound plans gain momentumPlans to build a brand new Lidl store in Wetherby are gaining fresh momentum after more than 820 local residents signed a petition.
Read more »
Warped Lidl worker obsessed with school shootings GUILTY of plotting attack after assembling bomb arsenal...Moment Lidl worker who ‘plotted attack at primary school is shot by cops at home where he assembled bomb & gun arsenal’
Read more »