Sandy Hook papers released

Police in the US have released thousands of pages of documents from the investigation into last year’s school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, which could shed new light on the world of the 20-year-old gunman.

The paperwork includes text, photos, videos, and recordings of emergency calls received by police.

The report referred to items found on a computer at Lanza’s house that included writings detailing relationships and beliefs.

He gunned down 20 children and six teachers with a semi-automatic rifle at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec 14, 2012, after killing his mother inside their home. He committed suicide with a handgun as police arrived at the school.

To try to understand his motive, investigators said, they interviewed members of Lanza’s family, teachers, and others.

The report said he “was undoubtedly afflicted with mental health problems; yet despite a fascination with mass shootings and firearms, he displayed no aggressive or threatening tendencies”.

It said that in 2005, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s and lacked empathy for others.

Nobody was allowed into his room, and he disliked birthdays and Christmas and did not like to have his hair cut. He would not touch doorknobs, it said, and his food had to be arranged on the plate in a certain way.