The killer who shot dead five girls in a one-room Amish schoolhouse was haunted by guilt over his sexual assault of two young female relatives 20 years ago and dreamed that he would abuse again, it emerged on Tuesday.
Suicide notes, cellphone conversations and the debris left behind at the schoolhouse produced a chilling portrait of the man responsible for the deadly shootings, Charles Roberts IV.
Roberts was 12 at the time of the alleged sexual assaults and his victims were believed to be three or four. Over the past two years, that abuse had come to loom even larger in his mind. ”Roberts mentioned in the suicide note that he was having dreams of molesting again,” said state police commissioner Jeffrey Miller.
Roberts was also believed to have mourned deeply following the death of his first child, a girl called Elise Victoria. The child died moments after her premature birth in 1997.
The evidence released on Wednesday was in stark contrast to what friends and neighbours in this close-knit community knew of a man who lived quietly with his wife and three young children.
It was not immediately clear on Wednesday whether Roberts indeed had committed sexual abuse as a 12-year-old. Police said initial interviews with members of his family produced no evidence of abuse, although they have yet to speak to the two female relatives he named in a final cellphone conversation with his wife.
Police believe he had been planning the attack for days, buying bolts, lumber, plastic cord for handcuffs and lubricating jelly. Some of the equipment left at the schoolhouse had been purchased as early as September 26, although Roberts went back twice for last-minute items on the morning of the shooting. He also thought to bring with him toilet paper and a change of clothing.
Police are also investigating how Roberts acquired the pistol, rifle, shotgun and 600 rounds of ammunition that he had with him.
It remained unclear why Roberts chose that particular school house, passing another one en route.
Police say they believe Roberts selected his victims because of their age and not because they belonged to the Amish sect. None of the victims was sexually assaulted but police believe had they not interrupted Roberts that may well have been his intention. — Â