Chris Harper-mercer

Mass Murderer

Chris Harper-Mercer and the 2015 Umpqua Community College Massacre

Background

Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer was a 26-year-old student who carried out a mass shooting at Umpqua Community College near Roseburg, Oregon, on October 1, 2015. He murdered nine people and wounded eight others before dying by suicide following an exchange of gunfire with police officers. The attack occurred primarily inside Snyder Hall, where Harper-Mercer was enrolled in an introductory writing course. Harper-Mercer was born on July 26, 1989, and had previously lived in California before moving with his mother to Winchester, Oregon. He was described as socially isolated and deeply interested in firearms, military subjects and previous mass shootings. In 2008, he briefly entered the United States Army but was discharged after approximately five weeks for failing to meet minimum administrative standards during basic training. By 2015, Harper-Mercer was attending Umpqua Community College. School records later showed that he had struggled academically and had been placed on scholastic probation. Investigators also discovered writings indicating that he felt rejected, resentful and frustrated with his life. He studied previous mass murderers and appeared to believe that committing a spectacular act of violence would give him the recognition he believed he lacked.

The Attack at Umpqua Community College

At approximately 10:38 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2015, emergency dispatchers began receiving reports of gunfire at Umpqua Community College. The campus was located several miles north of Roseburg in Douglas County, Oregon. Harper-Mercer was inside Snyder Hall, where students had gathered for classes that morning. Harper-Mercer entered the area around Classroom 15 armed with several handguns. He fired a shot and forced students to gather together. He then began shooting members of the class, including the instructor, Lawrence Levine. Witnesses reported that Harper-Mercer questioned some students about their beliefs before firing, although later evidence indicated that religious identity was not the sole factor determining whom he attacked. The gunman deliberately spared one student and ordered that person to deliver a package of his writings to law enforcement. Those writings included complaints about loneliness, rejection and his failure to establish meaningful relationships. They also demonstrated his fascination with other mass killers and his desire to become notorious through murder. Several students attempted to protect themselves or help others escape. Army veteran and student Chris Mintz responded after hearing the attack from a nearby classroom. Mintz helped warn other people and attempted to prevent Harper-Mercer from continuing through the building. Harper-Mercer shot Mintz multiple times, but Mintz survived after receiving extensive medical treatment.

Police Response and the Gunman's Death

Roseburg police officers and Douglas County sheriff's deputies rushed to the college. Roseburg Police Sergeant Joe Kaney and Detective Todd Spingath reached Snyder Hall at approximately 10:44 a.m., about six minutes after the first emergency call. Harper-Mercer fired at the officers from the classroom area. The officers returned fire, striking him once. After continuing to exchange gunfire with police, Harper-Mercer retreated into the classroom. At approximately 10:48 a.m., he fatally shot himself in the head. The entire attack lasted about ten minutes. Investigators recovered multiple firearms from the scene, including a Glock 19 pistol, a Taurus PT24/7 pistol, a Smith & Wesson handgun, a Hi-Point pistol and a revolver. A semi-automatic rifle was also found but was not believed to have been fired during the massacre. Additional firearms and ammunition were discovered at the apartment Harper-Mercer shared with his mother. Authorities determined that the weapons had been legally acquired by Harper-Mercer or members of his family. ...

Confirmed Victims: (9)

Lucero Alcaraz 19 yr old Female

Oregon shooting: Gunman Chris Harper Mercer had 13 guns