The alleged Oregon shooter was discharged from the US Army after attempting suicide
Reuters/via Myspace account of Chris Harper-Mercer
Harper-Mercer was one month into basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, when he was discharged, though military officials would not confirm the discharge as a matter of policy.
The discharge did not carry any legal penalty and had no affect on Harper-Mercer's ability to purchase guns legally.
Neither the details of the suicide attempt nor the background of the discharge have been made public. An Army spokesman told The Journal that the discharge could have been for any number of reasons.
The suicide attempt falls in line with media reports painting Harper-Mercer as increasingly troubled. Harper-Mercer graduated from the Switzer Learner Center, a school outside Los Angeles that serves students with a variety of mental-health challenges and learning disabilities.
After moving to Oregon in 2013, Harper-Mercer reportedly became a loner known for his love of guns and hatred of religion. His mother, Laurel Harper, was also a gun enthusiast who would accompany him on trips to shooting ranges in California and Oregon.
The gunman's two-page note, left at the school, has not been released by law-enforcement officials but reportedly includes remarks about not having a girlfriend.
NOW WATCH: Bernie Sanders is surprisingly pro-gun
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- Experts warn of rising temperatures in Bengaluru as Phase 2 of Lok Sabha elections draws near
- Axis Bank posts net profit of ₹7,129 cr in March quarter
- 7 Best tourist places to visit in Rishikesh in 2024
- From underdog to Bill Gates-sponsored superfood: Have millets finally managed to make a comeback?
- 7 Things to do on your next trip to Rishikesh