So it seems he killed his father first.

Drove to the school. Was buzzed in (he'd been a student there and his mom was a teacher there).

Shot his mom first. Then shot all the kids in her class. Some reports said "execution style." So horrific to contemplate.

Principal, Vice Principal and School Psychologist/Counselor went running out into the hall when they heard the shooting.

Principal and Counselor were killed, Vice Principal was wounded (shot in the foot) and crawled back to call 911.

Then I guess he killed a few other teachers that tried to stop him, and then he shot himself.

His younger brother has been taken into custody.

Believe me, I get this. But propagating the stereotype of the mentally ill as violent criminals who need to be controlled is not the answer, which is all that line of thinking does in the end.

How does one describe someone capable of this? I'm genuinely curious, because I'm at a loss, because I agree with your point above but...

Is it disturbed? Sociopathic? Irrational (which I think is accurate for describing rage)?

Incidentally, I'd like to apologize for my use of the phrase "bugfuck crazy" earlier (I think that's what it was); it was a visceral response, but it was both glib and unthinking. I should have thought before posting.

Hec,

apparently the shooter's girlfriend and another friend are missing.

Was buzzed in with the rifle?

How does one describe someone capable of this?

I think until we know more, "evil" will pretty much cover it. No need to speculate on his mental state beyond that.

apparently the shooter's girlfriend and another friend are missing.

Jesus.

My armchair psychology suggests a narcissistic personality disorder. Somebody who feels entitled to take his wounding out on the world.

Was buzzed in with the rifle?

Could've been under a long coat?

This is the kind of gun he used.

He bought it legally.

But gun control is a bad thing. Ungoddamnbelievable.

How does one describe someone capable of this?

I think until we know more, "evil" will pretty much cover it. No need to speculate on his mental state beyond that.

Yup. You don't have to be clinically, diagnosably mentally ill to be evil. You just have to be evil.

Was buzzed in with the rifle?

Now I'm seeing that the rifle was found in his car. So he took two pistols into the school.

Interesting summary of the criminal psychology research that's been done on rampage violence.

“The pseudocommando is a type of mass murderer who kills in public during the daytime, plans his offense well in advance, and comes prepared with a powerful arsenal of weapons. He has no escape planned and expects to be killed during the incident. Research suggests that the pseudocommando is driven by strong feelings of anger and resentment, flowing from beliefs about being persecuted or grossly mistreated. He views himself as carrying out a highly personal agenda of payback. It is argued that revenge fantasies become the last refuge for the pseudocommando’s mortally wounded self-esteem and ultimately enable him to commit mass murder-suicide.” (Journal of American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, March 2010)