NEWTOWN, Conn., Feb. 18 (UPI) — The Newtown, Conn., massacre gunman was influenced by violent video games and a desire to out-do Norway’s most notorious mass killer, sources told CBS News.
Law enforcement sources told the network Adam Lanza, 20, wanted to exact a higher death toll than Norwegian Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011. Lanza killed his mother at their home before heading to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he killed 20 children and six adults Dec. 14 before taking his own life.
The network’s sources said evidence indicates Lanza likely was acting out the fantasies of a video game, with each victim’s death amounting to some kind of “score.”
While authorities have not said what they believe Lanza’s motive was, CBS sources said investigators found evidence he was obsessed with Breivik and came upon what they called a “trove” of violent video games in the basement of Lanza’s home. The sources said Lanza spent countless hours in a darkened gaming room playing the games.
CBS reported Monday Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said, however, the investigation into Lanza’s motive was not complete and any statements about the shooter’s intent are speculation.
CBS said two officials knowledgeable about the Newtown investigation said Lanza, who also practiced shooting real guns at nearby gun ranges with his mother, picked Sandy Hook because it was the “easiest target” with the “largest cluster of people.”
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
I agree with you on the video games but don’t ask me why but the call of duty and medal of honor games help me. I have been diagnosed with PTSD from the war in iraq. When I do not play these games I have very bad dreams and I can’t sleep at all. When I play the games the dreams are still there but not nearly as bad and I can sleep.
I’m sorry you experience difficulties from your time in Ira1q. But I want to THANK YOU for serving. My nephew was also in Iraq. Our soldiers are amazing!
I have always felt that violent video games would become a problem. And my opinion is that violent video games are not for children. I don’t understand why we need games that are about killing people, shooting police officers, etc. To me all that does is say “violence is okay”. When the whole violent game thing started with Grand Theft Auto I was appalled when I was behind a gal checking out at a store and she was buying the game for her 5 year old child. And some people wonder why there is so much violence.
Better ban and confiscate those video games.