A gunman who went on a shooting spree inside a gym apparently left a rambling blog in which he discussed his hatred of women, an “exit plan” and an earlier aborted attempt to kill.
George Sodini (48) turned the gun on himself after shooting dead three women and injuring at least nine others on Tuesday night at LA Fitness Centre, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, the US.
A chilling online diary posted under the gunman’s name discusses decades of rejection by women and the author’s plan to kill members of the gym. A post left on Monday ends with the words “Death Lives”.
The diary is headed by brief details of the gunman, including his birth and death dates and the fact that he has never married. Authorities could not confirm the authenticity of the blog.
Sodini walked into an exercise class with a bag containing two guns. He then turned the lights off before opening fire indiscriminately.
According to Allegheny County police Supt Charles Moffatt, the gunman was silent as he started shooting. “He did not say anything,” Supt Moffatt said, adding: “He walked right into the room . . . He fired as many as 52 shots before killing himself. I don’t think anyone could have stopped him.”
The dead women were named as Heidi Overmier (46) Elizabeth Gannon (49) and Jody Billingsley (38). At least nine others were treated for gunshot wounds.
The blog suggests that he had been planning for at least nine months to carry out the shootings.
It also details a failed attempt at the start of the year. In an entry dated January 6th, Sodini allegedly wrote: “It is 6.40pm, about an hour and a half to go. God have mercy.” A second message written later that day added: “It is 8.45pm: I chickened out! S***! I brought the loaded guns, everything. Hell!” The blog also paints Sodini as a misogynist with a loathing of women.
In a chilling final post, Sodini states: “Tomorrow is the big day.”
He added: “I took today, Monday, and tomorrow to practise my routine and make sure it is well polished. I need to work out every detail . . . ” It appears that the online diary’s author wanted the blog to serve as an explanation of his actions and includes a plea to distribute the document among news media.
At the top of the entry are the words: “Why do this?? To young girls? Just read below.”