More on the Amish School Shootings

The gunman apparently had been depressed for some time (he apologised to his wife for being sad all the time). Apparently he admitted during the standoff that he had molested two young relatives when he was about 11 or 12. (Which would perhaps indicate he in turn was molested, since most kids are not so precociously sexual, but those exposed to sexual abuse often are). He also brought materials to sexually assault the girls at the school. In other words, he was much more disturbed than anyone guessed--or if not, there was heavy denial--and this is someone who really needed a major mental health intervention. Unfortunately, that never happened, and five girls are dead, with four others still touch-and-go. One is expected to recover, as she was shot in the back and shoulder rather than the head.

So sad. I know at least one family lost two of their children. One little girl somehow escaped when the boys were let go, but her sisters were injured. The oldest of the girls was only 13. Such young lives, cut short by a disturbed man who apparently chose them due to the remoteness of the school and the lack of security there.

And the gunman leaves behind three children of his own who will never understand what truly happened with their father, and his actions will haunt them, too, in such a rural area.