A WARPED Lidl worker with an obsession for school shootings has been found guilty of plotting an attack at a primary school.
Reed Wischhusen, 32, had a macabre fascination with the Columbine and Dunblane massacres.
Reed Wischhusen fantasised over school shootingsSWNS
SWNSThis is the dramatic moment the Lidl worker was shot by cops[/caption]
He had drawn up a chilling “kill-list” of former classmates, teachers and police staff he wanted to target in his own rampage.
The wannabe killer also wrote a document entitled “Revenge”, which describes a “hitman-style attack” on his former school.
Wischhusen was shot by armed police while he was arrested at his “house of horrors” in Somerset after charging at officers with a gun.
He was today found guilty of a string of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges.
Bristol Crown Court heard Wischhusen had assembled an arsenal of weapons over a ten-year period.
Police went to his home in November last year following intelligence he had purchased blank weapons capable of being converted into viable firearms.
During the visit, Wischhusen went to the bathroom and shot himself behind the ear.
He then rushed at officers and discharged the gun three times – causing one officer to believe he was going to die.
Wischhusen survived but spent four months in hospital recovering from his injuries.
He later claimed pointing the gun was a “suicide” attempt and he wanted police to “finish the job”
During a search of the house, officers found homemade weapons including hand guns, a sub-machine gun, modified air rifle, ammunition, bombs, grenades and poison.
Cops also recovered a 1,700-word document that detailed how he would go about the school massacre.
Wischhusen claimed he would use a “converted pistol with a silencer” for the ten planned victims.
He also wrote about throwing in a pipe bomb or two in order to “stir things up”.
The gun nut claimed he would lure victims to the fire exit then detonate bombs to kill them.
But during his evidence, he told jurors he was too much of a “coward” to go through with his school shooting “fantasy”.
He was found guilty of having an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate.
Wischhusen had previously admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate.
He was remanded into custody to be sentenced on December 15.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Dewfall, who led the investigation, said: “Reed Wischhusen’s plans are terrifying. Had he not been caught when he was, the consequences simply do not bear thinking about.
“He claimed his plans were merely fantasy but it’s clear he was actively working towards acting on them, with many of the items he identified as needing for his attacks recovered from his address.
“He had explosive substances and firearms capable of causing lethal harm while, chillingly, he also had Avon and Somerset Police uniform.
“While the weapons he built were crudely constructed, they were extremely dangerous.
“Among those he admitted handing in during a firearms amnesty was a fully operational sub-machine gun, which was loaded with ammunition.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully few and far between, but when they do happen our officers are ready to respond to them.
“They are also a stark reminder of the dangers officers face every day. They put themselves on the line to keep the public and their colleagues safe.
“This was a challenging incident and has been a complex investigation and I’d like to thank all of my colleagues for the commitment they have demonstrated.
“It is because of their courage and dedication that a dangerous man has been brought to justice.”
SWNSWischhusen will be sentenced on December 15[/caption]
SWNSPolice found a cache of weapons at his home[/caption]
SWNSWischhusen posed as a policeman as he concocted his massacre[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
