Jeffrey Weise and the 2005 Red Lake Massacre
Background
Jeffrey James Weise was a 16-year-old resident of the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Born on August 8, 1988, he experienced an unstable childhood marked by family separation, repeated moves, academic difficulties and personal loss. His father died by suicide in 1997, and his mother suffered severe brain injuries in an automobile accident two years later. Weise subsequently returned to Red Lake and lived with relatives, including his paternal grandfather, Daryl Lussier Sr.
Weise attended Red Lake Senior High School but struggled with poor attendance and disciplinary problems. He was eventually placed in a homebound education program and completed his schoolwork away from the regular student population. Friends and classmates described him as withdrawn, although he maintained several friendships and participated in online communities. He had previously received treatment for depression and had survived suicide attempts during 2004.
Investigators later examined Weise's extensive online activity. Some of his writings expressed loneliness, anger, hopelessness and resentment toward life on the reservation. He also produced violent animated stories and participated in extremist internet forums. These activities became important parts of the investigation, but authorities never established one definitive motive for the murders.
The Murders at the Lussier Residence
On March 21, 2005, Weise began his attack at the lakeside home of his grandfather, Daryl Lussier Sr., a veteran sergeant with the Red Lake Department of Public Safety. Weise used a .22-caliber pistol to kill Lussier inside the residence. He then killed Lussier's companion, Michelle Sigana, when she encountered him in the home.
After the murders, Weise took his grandfather's police equipment, including a protective vest, duty belt, .40-caliber Glock pistol and 12-gauge shotgun. He also took Lussier's marked police vehicle. The access to police weapons and transportation allowed Weise to approach the high school without immediately attracting the level of suspicion that an unfamiliar vehicle might have caused.
Arrival at Red Lake Senior High School
Shortly before 3:00 p.m., Weise drove the police vehicle to Red Lake Senior High School on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. He arrived near the end of the school day and entered through the main entrance, where two unarmed security guards were stationed near a metal detector.
Weise immediately shot security guard Derrick Brun. Brun was killed while performing his duties at the entrance, while the second guard, LeAnn Grant, escaped and warned others that an armed attacker was inside the building. Her warning gave students and staff members an opportunity to lock doors, take cover and begin emergency procedures.
Weise continued into the school's main hallway, firing at people as they attempted to escape. English teacher Neva Rogers was initially wounded while helping students in the corridor. She entered a study hall classroom occupied by students and staff members, where the occupants attempted to secure the room and hide beneath tables.
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