School gunman ‘planned rampage’

TEENAGE gunman Jeff Weise drove a stolen police car to his school and then randomly shot at students and teachers, authorities said as the town of Red Lake grieved for the victims of the latest rampage to stun the US.

Weise wore a bullet-proof vest when he chased a teacher and fellow students into a classroom and gunned them down, the FBI said on Tuesday.

Monday's rampage the worst US school shooting since the 15-death Columbine massacre in 1999 appeared to have been planned, investigators said.

FBI agent Michael Tabman refused to speculate on a motive. He said he had no information on a report the student had revealed neo-Nazi sentiments in internet postings.

"The nature of the activity would indicate there was some planning," he said.

The small community based around an Indian reservation was at a loss to explain the killing of Weise's grandfather, his companion, five students, a teacher and a security guard at Red Lake High School. The teenager then killed himself. Seven people were wounded.

Floyd Jourdain, tribal chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, said the community was "devastated" and confronting "the darkest days in the history of our people".

The 300-student school has been closed indefinitely.

Tabman said Weise shot dead his grandfather Daryl Lussier, 58, a police sergeant, and his companion Michelle Sigana, 32.

He took his grandfather's police bulletproof vest, gun belt and police car, "and drove to the school, driving up right to the door", armed with two handguns and a shotgun. He was confronted by two unarmed security guards. Weise shot dead Derrick Brun, while the other fled inside.

Inside the school Weise fired at a teacher, Neva Winnecoup- Rogers, 62, and a group of students.

One of the dead students was 14 and four were aged 15. At least three were girls.

Four police arrived, Tabman said, and one opened fire at the gunman who shot back. Weise withdrew to a classroom and took his own life, the FBI agent said.

A school worker said Weise was "a mixed-up kid who seemed lost in life".

The White House said President George W Bush had been kept informed of events in Red Lake.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed," said spokesman Scott McClellan.