On April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and teachers and wounded 24 others before killing themselves. On March 21, 2005 in Red Lake, MN, Jeff Weise killed his grandfather and his grandfather’s girlfriend and then killed seven and wounded six at Red Lake High School before killing himself. The shooters all had their own reasons for committing their violent acts, but perhaps they were influenced by outside factors.

According online magazine Slate.com the FBI investigator and other psychiatrists concluded after the shooting that Klebold was depressed, while Harris was psychopathic. The analysts also think that Harris had a huge superiority complex.

One entry in his journal was “YOU KNOW WHAT I HATE!!!? People who use the same word over and over again!” Psychiatrists said that Harris wanted to punish people for being inferior, which he did with much planning and without remorse.

Weise wrote, “There isn’t an open sky or endless field to be found where I reside, nor is there light or salvation to be discovered.” On January 27, he wrote, “I’ve seen mothers choose their man over their own flesh and blood, I’ve seen others choose alcohol over friendship.”

JeffWeise.com, the memorial web-site for the victims at Red Lake, lists several possible explanations for Weise’s rampage. He was living without either parent, was taking Prozac and was estranged from the other students.