2015 Umpqua Community College shooting

Mass shooting in Oregon, U.S. February 2023 February 2023 2015 Umpqua Community College shooting Snyder Hall Umpqua Community College.jpg photograph showing Snyder Hall, the scene of the shooting Snyder Hall, the scene of the shooting Roseburg, Oregon, U.S. 43.2888 -123.3320 region:US-OR_type:event inline,title (Snyder Hall) 2015 10 01 10:38 10:48 a.m. PDT; UTC−07:00 School shooting, mass shooting, mass murder, shootout, murder–suicide * 4 semi-automatic pistols: .40 S&W Smith & Wesson SW99 .40 S&W Taurus PT24/7 .380 ACP Hi-Point CF-380 9mm Glock 19 .38 caliber S&W M642-2 revolver 5.56 NATO Del-Ton DTI-15 semi-automatic rifle (unused) http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/35940634-78/an-arsenal-at-ucc.html.csp An arsenal at UCC The Registered Guard September 11, 2017 September 11, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170911111419/http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/35940634-78/an-arsenal-at-ucc.html.csp September 11, 2017 live 10 (including the perpetrator) 8 Christopher Sean "Chris" Harper-Mercer *Revenge for perceived sexual and social rejection Notoriety On October 1, 2015, a school shooting occurred at the Umpqua Community College campus near Roseburg, Oregon, United States. Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer, a 26-year-old who was enrolled at the school, fatally shot an assistant professor and eight students in a classroom and injured eight others. Roseburg police detectives responded to the incident and engaged Harper-Mercer in a brief shootout. After being wounded, he shot himself in the head. The school shooting is the deadliest in Oregon's history, surpassing the 1998 Thurston High School shooting. Shooting At 10:38 a.m. PDT, the first 9-1-1 call was made from Snyder Hall on the school campus reporting gunfire. Students reported that the shooting began in Classroom 15, where English and writing classes are conducted. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-shooting-umpqua-community-college.html?smid=pl-share Oregon Community College Shooting Leaves at Least 7 Dead The New York Times October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 Dirk Vanderhart Kirk Johnson Julie Turkewitz February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125924/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-shooting-umpqua-community-college.html?smid=pl-share live http://www.katu.com/news/local/Reports-Active-shooter-on-the-Umpqua-Community-College-campus--330285921.html Deadly shooting at Umpqua Community College KATU-TV Portland, Oregon October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151016232700/http://www.katu.com/news/local/Reports-Active-shooter-on-the-Umpqua-Community-College-campus--330285921.html October 16, 2015 Harper-Mercer, who was a student in the writing class, entered the hallway and fired a warning shot. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/us/roseburg-oregon-shooting-christopher-harper-mercer.html?smid=pl-share Oregon College Student Says Gunman Smiled, Then Fired The New York Times October 9, 2015 October 9, 2015 Julie Turkewitz February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125926/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/us/roseburg-oregon-shooting-christopher-harper-mercer.html?smid=pl-share live Some witnesses said he then forced fellow students to the center of the classroom. Before he opened fire on the other students, he deliberately spared one student's life so that the student could deliver a package from him to the police. He forced this student to sit at the back of the classroom and watch as he continued shooting with two handguns (a 9mm Glock 19 and a .40 caliber Taurus PT24/7). https://abcnews.go.com/US/oregon-umpqua-shooting-survivor-recalls-terrifying-moments-inside/story?id=34249478 Oregon Umpqua Shooting Survivor Recalls Terrifying Moments Inside Classroom ABC News October 5, 2015 October 6, 2015 Neal Karlinsky Sabina Ghebremedhin Cassidy Gard October 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151005162851/http://abcnews.go.com/US/oregon-umpqua-shooting-survivor-recalls-terrifying-moments-inside/story?id=34249478 live http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/oregon-college-shooting/survivor-umpqua-community-college-shooting-describes-rampage-n442146 Survivor of Umpqua Community College Shooting Describes Rampage NBC News October 10, 2015 October 10, 2015 Miguel Almaguer Phil Helsel https://web.archive.org/web/20151010041956/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/oregon-college-shooting/survivor-umpqua-community-college-shooting-describes-rampage-n442146 October 10, 2015 live http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20151003-oregon-college-gunman-spared-lucky-one-to-give-police-a-message-survivor-says.ece Oregon college gunman spared 'lucky one' to give police a message, survivor says The Dallas Morning News Associated Press October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004145655/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20151003-oregon-college-gunman-spared-lucky-one-to-give-police-a-message-survivor-says.ece October 4, 2015 live Harper-Mercer first shot the English professor at point-blank range. One student said that he asked two victims for their Christian belief, although their responses did not appear to determine who he shot. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/02/oregon-college-shooting-he-asked-are-you-christian-then-he-shot-and-killed-them Oregon college shooting: 'He asked are you Christian? Then he shot and killed them' ABC News 2025-10-02 2025-04-25 Helen Davidson https://abcnews.go.com/US/lucky-survived-oregon-school-shooting-describes-massacre/story?id=34385602 'Lucky One' Who Survived Oregon School Shooting Describes Massacre ABC News October 10, 2015 October 10, 2015 David Chiu October 10, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151010215639/http://abcnews.go.com/US/lucky-survived-oregon-school-shooting-describes-massacre/story?id=34385602 live One victim was agnostic https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/us/confusion-horror-and-heroism-in-oregon-shooting.html?smid=pl-share "She said if you were to ask Quinn if he were Christian, he would have said, 'I am agnostic,'" Ms. Ferris said, quoting Mr. Cooper's mother, Janet Cooper. Confusion, Horror and Heroism in Oregon Shooting The New York Times October 3, 2015 October 6, 2015 Claire Cain Miller Michael Wines Julie Turkewitz February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125922/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/us/confusion-horror-and-heroism-in-oregon-shooting.html?smid=pl-share live and another was pagan. http://wildhunt.org/2015/10/oregon-pagan-community-loses-member-in-college-shooting.html Heather Greene Oregon Pagan Community loses member in College Shooting October 3, 2015 October 6, 2015 The Wild Hunt https://web.archive.org/web/20151007120349/http://wildhunt.org/2015/10/oregon-pagan-community-loses-member-in-college-shooting.html October 7, 2015 live Some students were shot multiple times; http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/index.html Umpqua College gunman apparently targeted Christians Ed Payne Sara Sidner Kyung Lah October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 CNN https://web.archive.org/web/20151002202655/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/index.html October 2, 2015 live one woman was struck several times in the stomach while trying to close a classroom door. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-shooting-umpqua-community-college.html?smid=pl-share Oregon Shooting at Umpqua College Kills 10, Sheriff Says The New York Times October 1, 2015 October 2, 2015 Dirk Vanderhart Kirk Johnson Julie Turkewitz February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125924/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-shooting-umpqua-community-college.html?smid=pl-share live One witness said he made a woman beg for her life before shooting her, shot another woman when she tried to reason with him, https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/christopher-harper-mercer-umpqua-community-college-shooter-showed-little-sympathy-in-killings-x85972 Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings Newsday Associated Press October 4, 2015 October 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151006194550/http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/christopher-harper-mercer-umpqua-community-college-shooter-showed-little-sympathy-in-killings-1.10922004 October 6, 2015 live and shot a third woman in the leg after she tried to defend herself with a desk. One victim, Sarena Dawn Moore, was killed while trying to climb back into a wheelchair on his orders. http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/04/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/ Melissa Gray Merciless gunman shot woman in a wheelchair, Oregon survivor says CNN October 5, 2015 October 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004222109/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/04/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/ October 4, 2015 live Harper Mercer told one victim, "I’m going to send you to God. You’re going to see God." before shooting them. Roseburg Police Sergeant Joe Kaney and Detective Todd Spingath (who were in plainclothes at the time of the shooting) were the first to respond to the scene. They arrived at the hallway of Snyder Hall at 10:44, six minutes after the first 9-1-1 call was received. Two minutes later, Harper-Mercer reloaded his handguns and leaned out of the classroom, firing several shots at the officers. They fired three shots in return, hitting him once in the right side. http://wbay.com/2015/10/07/police-officers-use-of-force-against-the-umpqua-community-college-shooter-was-justified/ Officers' use of force against Umpqua Community College shooter was justified WBAY-TV Green Bay, Wisconsin October 7, 2015 October 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151013151021/http://wbay.com/2015/10/07/police-officers-use-of-force-against-the-umpqua-community-college-shooter-was-justified/ October 13, 2015 live After two more minutes of shooting at the officers, the wounded Harper-Mercer retreated into the classroom and killed himself with a single shot to his head. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34436373 Oregon shooting: Gunman killed himself BBC News October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003193826/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34436373 October 3, 2015 live https://www.wsj.com/articles/oregon-shooting-suspect-chris-harper-mercer-committed-suicide-officials-say-1443913742 Oregon Shooting Suspect Chris Harper-Mercer Committed Suicide, Officials Say The Wall Street Journal October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 Zusha Elinson https://web.archive.org/web/20151004000759/http://www.wsj.com/articles/oregon-shooting-suspect-chris-harper-mercer-committed-suicide-officials-say-1443913742 October 4, 2015 live None of the officers were injured. http://www.kgw.com/story/news/crime/2015/10/01/report-15-dead-umpqua-community-college-shooting/73154898/ 10 dead, 9 injured in mass shooting at Oregon college KGW-TV Portland, Oregon October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151001224238/http://www.kgw.com/story/news/crime/2015/10/01/report-15-dead-umpqua-community-college-shooting/73154898/ October 1, 2015 http://koin.com/2015/10/01/active-shooter-reported-at-umpqua-community-college/ Gunman among 10 dead at Umpqua Community College KOIN-TV Portland, Oregon October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002061934/http://koin.com/2015/10/01/active-shooter-reported-at-umpqua-community-college/ October 2, 2015 live Jonathan J. Cooper Prosecutor: Oregon college gunman killed himself inside classroom after 2 officers wounded him October 7, 2015 October 7, 2015 U.S. News & World Report Associated Press https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/10/07/oregon-gunman-killed-himself-after-police-shot-him https://web.archive.org/web/20151007183624/http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/10/07/oregon-gunman-killed-himself-after-police-shot-him October 7, 2015 live Kaney is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had 23 years of experience on the Roseburg Police Department while Spingath is a U.S. Air Force veteran who had 16 years of experience on the Roseburg Police Department. The package that Harper-Mercer had given to a student during the attack contained writing in which the shooter stated his motivations. Harper-Mercer complained that he had "no friends, no job, no girlfriend" and was a virgin. He critiqued other mass killers. Flaccus Gillian September 8, 2017 Oregon authorities release 'manifesto' from mass shooting https://apnews.com/article/016ee91e1de3430aab1da6e9848a6c97 AP Portland, Oregon April 30, 2021 May 1, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210501044003/https://apnews.com/article/016ee91e1de3430aab1da6e9848a6c97 live Harper-Mercer used language associated with the incel subculture. He expressed admiration for Elliot Rodger, the misogynist mass killer responsible for the 2014 Isla Vista attacks. Bates Laura 2020 Men Who Hate Women: From incels to pickup artists, the truth about extreme misogyny and how it affects us all Simon & Schuster UK 978-1-7282-3624-7 1125958377 34–35 According to the Anti-Defamation League, "The issue most often raised about the shootings is whether they constitute an anti-Christian or anti-religious hate crime." By some accounts, the shooter asked his victims about their religion before killing them, but others point out that his rage was not limited to religious matters and stressed his mental health history. The report that the shooter asked victims about their religion before killing them comes from a survivor, as well as family members of the victims. Plumbing the Depths: Were the Umpqua Shootings an Anti-Christian Hate Crime? Anti-Defamation League July 23, 2018 https://www.adl.org/blog/plumbing-the-depths-were-the-umpqua-shootings-an-anti-christian-hate-crime https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032139/https://www.adl.org/blog/plumbing-the-depths-were-the-umpqua-shootings-an-anti-christian-hate-crime July 24, 2018 live Aftermath Following the shooting, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents launched a campus-wide search for explosives. Six firearms were recovered from the crime scene: https://news.yahoo.com/terrible-day-9-killed-gunman-oregon-town-063530204.html 'We began to run': Students describe horror of shooting October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Yahoo! News Jeff Barnard Gosia Wozniacka https://web.archive.org/web/20151003010923/http://news.yahoo.com/terrible-day-9-killed-gunman-oregon-town-063530204.html October 3, 2015 live five handguns and one long gun. None were owned by his mother. Ford Dana Oregon shooting: Gunman dead after college rampage http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/01/us/oregon-college-shooting/index.html October 1, 2015 CNN October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151001183945/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/01/us/oregon-college-shooting/index.html October 1, 2015 live Dirk Vanderhart Richard Pérez-Peña Michael S. Schmidt October 2, 2015 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/03/us/oregon-shooting-umpqua-chris-harper-mercer.html?smid=pl-share Gunman in Oregon Shooting Was Armed With 6 Guns and Left 7 at Home The New York Times October 2, 2015 February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125921/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/03/us/oregon-shooting-umpqua-chris-harper-mercer.html?smid=pl-share live http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/1/chris-harper-mercer-identified-umpqua-community-co/ October 1, 2015 Chris Harper Mercer identified as Umpqua Community College shooter The Washington Times October 1, 2015 Jay LeBlanc https://web.archive.org/web/20151002204337/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/1/chris-harper-mercer-identified-umpqua-community-co/ October 2, 2015 live The long gun, a 5.56 x45 mm Del-Ton DTI-15 semi-automatic rifle, was not used during the incident. https://news.yahoo.com/oregon-gunman-army-dropout-studied-mass-shooters-041933070.html Survivor: Gunman spared 'lucky one' to give police message October 3, 2015 October 4, 2015 Gosia Wozniacka Tami Abdollah Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20151005233433/http://news.yahoo.com/oregon-gunman-army-dropout-studied-mass-shooters-041933070.html October 5, 2015 live Harper-Mercer also had a flak jacket and "enough ammunition for a prolonged gunfight". http://ktla.com/2015/10/01/gunman-in-oregon-college-shooting-that-left-10-dead-idd/ Former L.A. County Resident ID'd as Gunman in Umpqua Community College Shooting That Left 10 Dead: Report KTLA-TV Los Angeles, California October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 Tracy Bloom https://web.archive.org/web/20151002040353/http://ktla.com/2015/10/01/gunman-in-oregon-college-shooting-that-left-10-dead-idd/ October 2, 2015 live https://abcnews.go.com/US/umpqua-community-college-shooter-armed-guns-flak-jacket/story?id=34191422 Umpqua Community College Shooter Armed With 6 Guns and Flak Jacket ABC News October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Meghan Keneally October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003042610/http://abcnews.go.com/US/umpqua-community-college-shooter-armed-guns-flak-jacket/story?id=34191422 live Police said they found eight other firearms at his apartment, and that all of the weapons were purchased legally by him or members of his family. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/oregon-college-shooting/oregon-college-shooting-gunman-chris-harper-mercer-died-suicide-officials-n438106 Oregon College Shooting: Gunman Chris Harper Mercer Died of Suicide, Officials Say NBC News Elisha Fieldstadt October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003212840/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/oregon-college-shooting/oregon-college-shooting-gunman-chris-harper-mercer-died-suicide-officials-n438106 October 3, 2015 live Almost four hours after the shooting, Laurel Harper was interviewed by Oregon State Police detectives, but the content was not released until September 13, 2017. She said her son had been prescribed medication, but it did not seem to help, and that he had been "born angry." She told police that he enjoyed watching videos of killings on the Internet. Their home was so disordered that, after the murders, she could not tell what guns were missing. Carisa Cegavske https://www.nrtoday.com/news/crime/ucc_shooting/ucc-shooter-s-mother-said-her-son-was-born-angry/article_4d0a9c59-6f80-5802-b78c-955a34198ae7.html UCC shooter's mother said her son was born angry News-Review September 13, 2017 July 25, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180725153412/https://www.nrtoday.com/news/crime/ucc_shooting/ucc-shooter-s-mother-said-her-son-was-born-angry/article_4d0a9c59-6f80-5802-b78c-955a34198ae7.html July 25, 2018 Victims Fatalities The attacker killed a total of nine people: eight died at the scene while the ninth died at Mercy Medical Center. The deceased were: https://www.koin.com/news/umpqua-community-college-victims-identified/960324541 Umpqua Community College shooting victims identified January 26, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035151/https://www.koin.com/news/umpqua-community-college-victims-identified/960324541 January 27, 2019 live 22em Lucero Alcaraz, age 19 Treven Taylor Anspach, 20 Rebecka Ann Carnes, 18 Quinn Glen Cooper, 18 Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, 59 Lucas Eibel, 18 Jason Dale Johnson, 33 Lawrence Levine, 67 Sarena Dawn Moore, 43 Injured Eight other students were injured, Kenneth Rosen Survivor of Oregon Shooting Writes About Encounter With an Emotionless Gunman October 17, 2015 November 13, 2015 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/us/survivor-of-oregon-shooting-writes-about-encounter-with-an-emotionless-gunman.html?smid=pl-share February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125927/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/us/survivor-of-oregon-shooting-writes-about-encounter-with-an-emotionless-gunman.html?smid=pl-share live Oregon gunman killed himself after police wounded him October 7, 2015 November 15, 2015 Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-oregon-college-shooting-20151007-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20151120140006/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-oregon-college-shooting-20151007-story.html November 20, 2015 live Saslow Eli Schaff Erin 2023-09-26 Notebooks, Pens and Bulletproof Backpacks: A New School Year in America en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/26/us/school-mass-shootings-trauma.html 2023-09-27 0362-4331 some with multiple gunshot wounds. http://ktla.com/2015/10/01/umpqua-community-college-shooter-targeted-christians-father-of-oregon-shooting-victim-says/ Oregon Gunman Was Enrolled in Class Where He Opened Fire, Authorities Say KTLA-TV October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Mary Beth McDade Eric Spillman November 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181120015204/https://ktla.com/2015/10/01/umpqua-community-college-shooter-targeted-christians-father-of-oregon-shooting-victim-says/ live http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/oregon-college-shooting-alleged-gunman-id-d-as-chris-harper-mercer-26-1.3252645 Oregon college shooting: Alleged gunman ID'd as Chris Harper Mercer, 26 CBC News Associated Press October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002182552/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/oregon-college-shooting-alleged-gunman-id-d-as-chris-harper-mercer-26-1.3252645 October 2, 2015 live Among the wounded was Chris Mintz, a U.S. Army veteran who was studying fitness training at the college, Cain Miller Claire Wines Michael Turkewitz Julie https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/us/confusion-horror-and-heroism-in-oregon-shooting.html?smid=pl-share Confusion, Horror and Heroism in Oregon Shooting The New York Times October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125922/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/us/confusion-horror-and-heroism-in-oregon-shooting.html?smid=pl-share live who responded when he heard screams coming from an adjacent classroom. He blocked the connected door with his body to allow his class to escape. He next left the building to alert students in the library to evacuate. Returning to the shooting scene, he advised a wounded student to stay down and be quiet. At that point, Harper-Mercer leaned out from the classroom into the hallway and shot Mintz five or seven times as he was first standing, then falling to the floor, because he said Mintz had called police. Mintz pleaded that he not be killed on his son's birthday and said an apparently emotionless Harper-Mercer withdrew back into the classroom. Keneally Meghan https://abcnews.go.com/US/hero-umpqua-community-college-student-chris-mintz-speaks/story?id=34201425 'Hero' Umpqua Community College Student Chris Mintz Speaks After Being Shot 7 Times ABC News October 2, 2015 October 3, 2015 October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002203523/http://abcnews.go.com/US/hero-umpqua-community-college-student-chris-mintz-speaks/story?id=34201425 live At a press conference held on October 3, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin thanked Mintz for his actions. Shapiro T. Rees Dewey Caitlyn Bernstein Lenny https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/oregon-shooter-killed-himself-after-2-officers-arrived-at-community-college/2015/10/03/92f02542-6a05-11e5-8325-a42b5a459b1e_story.html Oregon shooter killed himself after 3 officers arrived at community college The Washington Post October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003201241/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/oregon-shooter-killed-himself-after-2-officers-arrived-at-community-college/2015/10/03/92f02542-6a05-11e5-8325-a42b5a459b1e_story.html October 3, 2015 live To help pay for his medical bills, Mintz's family set up a GoFundMe account. By the end of that day, it had already received more than 650,000 in donations. http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/roseburg-college-shooting/2015/10/02/hero-shot-7-times-standing-up-roseburg-shooter/73205662/ Over $650K raised for hero shot 7 times standing up to shooter KGW-TV Portland, Oregon October 3, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004000301/http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/roseburg-college-shooting/2015/10/02/hero-shot-7-times-standing-up-roseburg-shooter/73205662/ October 4, 2015 Mintz was released from a hospital on October 7. Andrew Theen http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/10/chris_mintz_released_from_rose.html Chris Mintz released from Roseburg hospital; 3 Umpqua shooting victims remain in care OregonLive.com October 8, 2015 October 17, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151011012159/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/10/chris_mintz_released_from_rose.html October 11, 2015 live On October 13, a 16-year-old girl who was critically wounded in the shooting was released from a hospital. Dan Whitcomb https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-shooting-oregon-idUSKCN0S72UM20151013 Girl critically wounded in Oregon college massacre is released from hospital Reuters October 13, 2015 October 16, 2015 March 10, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170310025620/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-shooting-oregon-idUSKCN0S72UM20151013 live Perpetrator Christopher Harper-Mercer Christopher Sean "Chris" Harper-Mercer (July 26, 1989 – October 1, 2015) was enrolled in the introductory composition class where he shot his victims. http://www.ibtimes.com/who-chris-harper-mercer-oregons-alleged-umqua-community-college-shooter-identified-2123675 Who Is Chris Harper Mercer? Oregon's Alleged Umqua Community College Shooter Identified, Police Say International Business Times Sarah Berger October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002234847/http://www.ibtimes.com/who-chris-harper-mercer-oregons-alleged-umqua-community-college-shooter-identified-2123675 October 2, 2015 live He was born in Torrance, California to Ian Mercer, an Englishman, and Laurel Harper, a Black American woman. His parents separated before he was born, and agreed to share legal custody in their divorce. This never went through however, as Harper-Mercer spent his entire life living with his mother, and hadn't seen his father since they had moved to Oregon two years before the shooting. Christopher Sean Harper, Born 07/26/1989 in California https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/christopher_sean_harper_born_1989_19211755 californiabirthindex.org California Birth Index April 19, 2021 April 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210419212409/https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/christopher_sean_harper_born_1989_19211755 live http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-chris-harper-mercer-oregon-shooting-20151002-htmlstory.html Christine Mai-Duc Gun-obsessed, timid, and his mom called him 'baby': What we know of Chris Harper-Mercer's life Los Angeles Times October 2, 2015 October 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004175932/http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-chris-harper-mercer-oregon-shooting-20151002-htmlstory.html October 4, 2015 live http://www.newsweek.com/father-umpqua-community-college-shooter-says-gun-laws-must-change-379934 Father of Umpqua Community College Shooter Says Gun Laws Must Change Newsweek October 5, 2015 October 6, 2015 Stav Ziv https://web.archive.org/web/20151005231840/http://www.newsweek.com/father-umpqua-community-college-shooter-says-gun-laws-must-change-379934 October 5, 2015 live https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/oregon-shooting-shooter-chris-harper-mercer-was-reclusive-26-year-old-with-an-interest-in-ira-and-a6677696.html Tim Walker Oregon shooting: Shooter Chris Harper Mercer was reclusive 26-year-old with an interest in IRA and Nazism The Independent October 2, 2015 October 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151006002004/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/oregon-shooting-shooter-chris-harper-mercer-was-reclusive-26-year-old-with-an-interest-in-ira-and-a6677696.html October 6, 2015 live http://www.cbsnews.com/news/umpqua-community-college-shooting-chris-harper-mercer/ What we know about suspected Oregon shooter Chris Harper Mercer CBS News Associated Press October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002040619/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/umpqua-community-college-shooting-chris-harper-mercer/ October 2, 2015 live Harper-Mercer joined the U.S. Army in 2008, but was discharged after five weeks for his failure to meet the "minimum administrative standards" of basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. https://nyti.ms/1VrLeBc Chris Mercer, Oregon Gunman, Hinted of Anger and Loneliness The New York Times October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Ian Lovett Liam Stack February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125924/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/03/us/chris-harper-mercer-umpqua-community-college-shooting.html?smid=pl-share live Officials linked to the investigation said that he was discharged as the result of a suicide attempt, but Army officials did not comment on this. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11918263/Oregon-shooting-Chris-Harper-Mercer-discharged-from-army-after-suicide-attempt.html Rob Crilly Oregon shooting: Chris Harper-Mercer 'discharged from army after suicide attempt' The Daily Telegraph October 7, 2015 October 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208200050/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11918263/Oregon-shooting-Chris-Harper-Mercer-discharged-from-army-after-suicide-attempt.html December 8, 2015 live In 2009, he graduated from Switzer Learning Center, a school for teenagers with learning disabilities or emotional issues. http://www.dailybulletin.com/general-news/20151001/oregon-shooting-suspect-chris-harper-mercer-lived-in-torrance-graduated-from-switzer-center Oregon shooting suspect lived in Torrance, graduated from Switzer Center The Daily Bulletin Larry Altman Nick Green October 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125927/https://www.dailybulletin.com/2015/10/01/oregon-gunman-chris-harper-mercer-lived-in-torrance-graduated-from-switzer-center/ live Laurel Harper was reportedly protective of him Winton Richard Mejia Brittny Mozingo Joe http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-shooting-profile-20151003-story.html Online and off, a mystifying portrait of the Oregon college gunman emerges Los Angeles Times October 2, 2015 October 3, 2015 (Article author[s]:) Harper-Mercer long struggled with mental health issues, law enforcement sources said. The allegations add to a messy and mystifying portrait emerging of Harper-Mercer, who, despite his allegedly white supremacist leanings, was mixed-race and lived with a hyper-protective black mother who appeared to be his only true companion. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005054022/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-shooting-profile-20151003-story.html October 5, 2015 live and tried to shield him from various perceived annoyances, some of them minor, in their neighborhood in Torrance. From early 2010 to early 2012, Harper-Mercer attended El Camino College in Torrance. Harper-Mercer maintained several Internet accounts, including one in which he described himself as mixed race. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-shooting-oregon-idUSKCN0RV5EP20151004 Gunman in Oregon college massacre committed suicide Reuters Courtney Sherwood Emily Flitter October 4, 2015 October 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004054330/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/04/us-usa-shooting-oregon-idUSKCN0RV5EP20151004 October 4, 2015 live What we know about Oregon shooter Chris Harper Mercer CBS News Associated Press http://www.cbsnews.com/news/umpqua-community-college-shooting-chris-harper-mercer October 1, 2015 October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003012120/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/umpqua-community-college-shooting-chris-harper-mercer October 3, 2015 live Katie Zavadski M.L. Nestel http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/01/umpqua-gunman-id-d-as-chris-harper-mercer.html Umpqua Gunman Chris Harper Mercer Hated Religion Online The Daily Beast October 2, 2015 October 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004182741/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/01/umpqua-gunman-id-d-as-chris-harper-mercer.html October 4, 2015 live Media reports said he had an e-mail address linked to an account on a BitTorrent website. The last upload on the account, three days before the Umpqua shooting, was a documentary on the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/03/chris-harper-mercer-was-enrolled-at-the-college-where-he-made-bloody-last-stand Chris Harper Mercer was enrolled at the college where he made a bloody last stand Rory Carroll The Guardian October 3, 2015 October 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004050417/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/03/chris-harper-mercer-was-enrolled-at-the-college-where-he-made-bloody-last-stand October 4, 2015 live http://mashable.com/2015/10/02/chris-harper-mercer-ucc-shooting/ Who is Chris Harper-Mercer, the man suspected of killing 9 in Oregon? Jenni Ryall October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Mashable https://web.archive.org/web/20151003115328/http://mashable.com/2015/10/02/chris-harper-mercer-ucc-shooting/ October 3, 2015 live According to the Los Angeles Times, unnamed law enforcement sources described him as a "hate-filled" man with antireligious and white supremacist leanings, and with long-term mental-health issues. Death in a classroom: Oregon shooter targeted his English class http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-shooting-20151002-story.html Los Angeles Times Michael Muskal Richard Winton Marisa Gerber October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002171153/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-shooting-20151002-story.html October 2, 2015 live His mother, Laurel Harper, had previously written anonymously in an online forum that both she and her son had Asperger syndrome. Healy Jack McIntire Mike Turkewitz Julie Oregon killer and mother had close bond with guns http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/oregon-killer-and-mother-had-close-bond-with-guns/ The Seattle Times October 5, 2015 October 6, 2015 [The mother] opened up about her difficulties raising a troubled son, who used to bang his head against the wall, and said she and her son struggled with Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. https://web.archive.org/web/20160108151534/http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/oregon-killer-and-mother-had-close-bond-with-guns/ January 8, 2016 live He and his mother moved to Winchester, Oregon in 2013 after she got a job there. His mother said he was initially excited to be able, unlike in California, to open carry. There were 14 legally purchased weapons kept in the apartment, and Harper-Mercer's mother wrote online that she always kept full magazines in Glock pistols and an AR-15 rifle inside. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/us/mother-of-oregon-gunman-wrote-of-keeping-firearms.html?smid=pl-share Oregon Killer's Mother Wrote of Troubled Son and Gun Rights The New York Times October 5, 2015 October 6, 2015 Jack Healy Mike McIntire Julie Turkewitz February 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230218125925/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/us/mother-of-oregon-gunman-wrote-of-keeping-firearms.html?smid=pl-share live The two often spent time together at shooting ranges, but Harper-Mercer was otherwise extremely isolated. https://www.yahoo.com/news/oregon-gunman-slipped-isolation-california-move-223311849.html Oregon gunman slipped into isolation after California move Eric M. Johnson Emily Flitter Reuters Yahoo! News October 7, 2015 October 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20170319060426/https://www.yahoo.com/news/oregon-gunman-slipped-isolation-california-move-223311849.html March 19, 2017 live Harper-Mercer had been placed on scholastic probation at Umpqua Community College for falling below a C average. According to his community college transcript, Harper-Mercer earned a 1.75 GPA during his time at UCC, and a letter dated September 1 warned him that he could be suspended if he did not raise his grades. A UCC tuition bill due on October 6 noted that Harper-Mercer owed $2,021. Laura Gunderson Oregon school shooting: Umpqua shooter on academic probation http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/10/oregon_school_shooting_umpqua.html The Oregonian October 22, 2015 October 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151024222038/http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/10/oregon_school_shooting_umpqua.html October 24, 2015 live On the day of the shooting, Harper-Mercer gave a survivor numerous writings showing he had studied mass killings, including the 2014 killing spree at Isla Vista, California. http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/ Oregon shooting: Gunman was student in class where he killed 9 CNN October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Sara Sidner Kyung Lah Steve Almasy Ralph Ellis https://web.archive.org/web/20151002160446/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/ October 2, 2015 live These expressed his sexual frustration as a virgin, animosity toward Black men, and a lack of fulfillment in his isolated life. https://abcnews.go.com/US/umpqua-community-college-shooter-chris-harper-mercer-hate/story?id=34203754 Umpqua Community College Shooter Chris Harper-Mercer Had Hate-Filled Writings, Sources Say ABC News October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Mike Levine Pierre Thomas Josh Margolin Jack Date October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002203343/http://abcnews.go.com/US/umpqua-community-college-shooter-chris-harper-mercer-hate/story?id=34203754 live https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/10/02/oregon-college-shooting/73192562/ Official: Oregon gunman left angry note glorifying mass killers USA Today October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 Trevor Hughes Kevin Johnson https://web.archive.org/web/20151002102817/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/10/02/oregon-college-shooting/73192562/ October 2, 2015 live https://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/04/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting/ Merciless gunman shot woman in a wheelchair, Oregon survivor says CNN October 5, 2015 October 5, 2015 Melissa Gray "The shooter also expressed frustration at not having a girlfriend and being a virgin, the law enforcement officials say." https://web.archive.org/web/20151008023522/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/04/us/oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting October 8, 2015 live In them, he said "Other people think I'm crazy, but I'm not. I'm the sane one," http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20151006/in-writings-oregon-gunman-christopher-harper-mercer-ranted-about-others-being-crazy In writings, Oregon gunman Christopher Harper-Mercer ranted about others being crazy Los Angeles Daily News Associated Press Jonathan J. Cooper Tami Abdollah October 6, 2015 October 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151007145454/http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20151006/in-writings-oregon-gunman-christopher-harper-mercer-ranted-about-others-being-crazy October 7, 2015 live and that he would be "welcomed in Hell and embraced by the devil." http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/oregon-college-shooting/oregon-shooting-umpqua-gunman-chris-harper-mercer-what-we-know-n437351 Oregon Shooting: Umpqua Gunman Chris Harper Mercer — What We Know NBC News Cassandra Vinograd Pete Williams Andrew Blankstein Tom Winter October 2, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003055714/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/oregon-college-shooting/oregon-shooting-umpqua-gunman-chris-harper-mercer-what-we-know-n437351 October 3, 2015 live He also reportedly admired the perpetrator of the WDBJ shooting for the fame received, and wrote that: "A man who was known by no one, is now known by everyone. His face splashed across every screen, his name across the lips of every person on the planet, all in the course of one day." S.J. Prince Was Chris Mercer Harper Inspired by Vester Flanagan? http://heavy.com/news/2015/10/chris-mercer-harper-blog-vester-lee-flanagan-wdbj7-tv-shooter-inspired-motive/ August 30, 2016 Heavy October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160927203550/http://heavy.com/news/2015/10/chris-mercer-harper-blog-vester-lee-flanagan-wdbj7-tv-shooter-inspired-motive/ September 27, 2016 Glum Julia Oregon Shooting Suspect Chris Harper-Mercer Linked To Blog Post About Roanoke Gunman Vester Flanagan: Reports http://www.ibtimes.com/oregon-shooting-suspect-chris-harper-mercer-linked-blog-post-about-roanoke-gunman-2124522 August 30, 2016 International Business Times October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20170318224021/http://www.ibtimes.com/oregon-shooting-suspect-chris-harper-mercer-linked-blog-post-about-roanoke-gunman-2124522 March 18, 2017 live Reactions thumb|Video of President Obama delivering a statement on the shooting (12:44 12 minutes 44 seconds)Obamastatement See: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/01/statement-president-shootings-umpqua-community-college-roseburg-oregon Statement by the President on the Shootings at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, Oregon White House Office of the Press Secretary October 1, 2015 Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she was heartbroken by the events and that she would immediately travel to Roseburg. The American Association of Community Colleges and the Association of Community College Trustees issued a joint statement, calling the shooting a tragedy and expressing their commitment to on-campus safety. Ortiz Erik Johnson M. Alex Winter Tom 13 Killed in Shooting at Oregon's Umpqua Community College: Officials https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officers-respond-report-shooting-umpqua-community-college-n437051 October 1, 2015 NBC News October 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151001215805/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officers-respond-report-shooting-umpqua-community-college-n437051 October 1, 2015 live Sheriff John Hanlin of Douglas County said he would not "name the shooter ... I will not give him credit for this horrific act of cowardice. Media will get the name confirmed in time ... but you will never hear us use it." https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/10/02/oregon-shooter-said-to-have-singled-out-christians-for-killing-in-horrific-act-of-cowardice/ Oregon shooter said to have singled out Christians for killing in 'horrific act of cowardice' The Washington Post Eli Saslow Sarah Kaplan Joseph Hoyt October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002102017/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/10/02/oregon-shooter-said-to-have-singled-out-christians-for-killing-in-horrific-act-of-cowardice/ October 2, 2015 live The practice of withholding a perpetrator's name is controversial. The Associated Press cited a recent study suggesting that copycat crimes were more likely to happen within an average of 13 days following significant press coverage of a mass shooting, while noting that criminologists and ethicists say withholding names could make it more difficult to track patterns of behavior and prevent future acts of violence. https://news.yahoo.com/more-police-refusing-name-shooters-fear-copycats-153451458.html More police refusing to name shooters for fear of copycats Associated Press Yahoo! News October 3, 2015 October 4, 2015 Sadie Gurman https://web.archive.org/web/20151004100339/http://news.yahoo.com/more-police-refusing-name-shooters-fear-copycats-153451458.html October 4, 2015 live Yukich Joshua Towers Sherry Gomez-Lievano Andres Khan Maryam Mubayi Anuj Castillo-Chavez Carlos Contagion in Mass Killings and School Shootings PLOS ONE 10 7 2015 e0117259 1932-6203 10.1371/journal.pone.0117259 26135941 4489652 2015PLoSO..1017259T free U.S. President Barack Obama said that "thoughts and prayers [do] not capture the heartache and grief and anger that we should feel, and it does nothing to prevent this carnage from being inflicted some place else in America next week or a couple months from now."Obamastatement He ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half staff in memory of the victims the day after the shootings. On October 5, the White House announced that Obama would continue to take more executive action on the subject of gun control. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/05/daily-press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-1052015 Daily Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 10/5/2015 October 5, 2015 October 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20170210220149/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/05/daily-press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-1052015 February 10, 2017 live National Archives whitehouse.gov Obama was met at Roseburg Regional Airport by around 200 protesters rallying behind a security fence, some with holstered weapons, who also showed support for Sheriff Hanlin, who had been highly visible during press conferences about the shooting. After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Hanlin had sent a letter to Vice President Joe Biden saying he would not enforce any new gun legislation he deemed to be unconstitutional. http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/gun-rights-activists-protest-obama-visit-to-roseburg/ Strong emotions as Obama visits grieving Oregon town The Seattle Times Gosia Wozniacka October 9, 2015 October 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151009235646/http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/gun-rights-activists-protest-obama-visit-to-roseburg/ October 9, 2015 live Although Harper-Mercer had substantial mental illness, he had never been involuntarily committed (which under federal and state law prohibits a person from purchasing a gun). Harper-Mercer was therefore able to pass a background check and bought a .380 semi-automatic handgun. Noelle Crombie UCC shooting: New gun law may have applied to deeply troubled shooter September 15, 2017 September 23, 2017 The Oregonian http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/09/ucc_shooting_shooter_deeply_tr.html https://web.archive.org/web/20170923194200/http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/09/ucc_shooting_shooter_deeply_tr.html September 23, 2017 live An Oregon law passed in 2017, which went into effect in 2018, allows law enforcement or family members to file a petition in state court for an "extreme risk protection order"; such an order, if granted, temporarily blocks an individual from purchasing or possessing deadly weapons if the individual is determined to present an "imminent threat to themselves or others." Had the law been in effect earlier, it is possible that Harper-Mercer could have been prevented from purchasing his weapon. A memorial for the victims of the shooting was unveiled in December 2016.Westbrook Vera Pacific Power Unveils Memorial For Umpqua Community College Shooting https://www.opb.org/news/series/roseburg-shooting/pacific-power-green-oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting-memorial/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20170910014431/http://www.opb.org/news/series/roseburg-shooting/pacific-power-green-oregon-umpqua-community-college-shooting-memorial/ September 10, 2017 February 11, 2020 www.opb.org See also Law Oregon 2014 Isla Vista killings Murders of Alison Parker and Adam Ward Anti-Christian sentiment List of homicides in Oregon Gun violence in the United States Gun law in the United States Gun politics in the United States Incel-related violence List of school shootings in the United States by death toll List of school shootings in the United States (2000–present) List of rampage killers (school massacres) Mass shootings in the United States Notes References Further reading Neely, Kindra: Numb to This: Memoir of a Mass Shooting (2022) Little, Brown and Company, 9780316462075 Category:2015 mass shootings in the United States Category:2015 murders in the United States Category:2010s mass murders in the United States Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Attacks on schools in 2015 Category:Copycat crimes Category:Douglas County, Oregon Category:Incel-related violence Category:Massacres in 2015 Category:Mass shootings in Oregon Category:Mass shootings involving AR-15–style rifles Category:Mass shootings involving semi-automatic pistols in the United States Category:Murder–suicides in Oregon Category:October 2015 crimes in the United States Category:Presidency of Barack Obama Category:Revenge Category:School shootings in Oregon Category:Shootouts in the United States Category:Suicides by firearm in Oregon Category:University and college shootings in the United States Category:University and college massacres in the United States Category:Violence against women in Oregon Category:White supremacy in the United States Category:Mass shootings in schools