Motive sought in Martin's rampage

Source: South Bend Tribune, Ind.迷你倉將軍澳Jan. 17--ELKHART -- He wandered through the aisles at the Martin's Super Market aimlessly for about 30 minutes, wearing a heavy coat.At one point, he appeared to make calls or text on his cell phone. And he eventually caught the attention of an unarmed security guard.Then, at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday, Shawn Walter Bair pulled out a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun.What happened next will leave haunting images for people in the store on East Bristol Street -- and questions that may never be answered. Chief among them: Bair, 22, of Elkhart, first shot and killed Krystle Lauren Dikes, 20, an overnight stocker who had just started working at the store, police said. It turned out the two of them had attended the same school -- Elkhart Central High -- together for a few months in 2007.So was Dikes an intended target, or just a random victim? Another unanswered question, at least for now.Two minutes after shooting his first victim, and several aisles away, Bair encountered Rachelle Godfread, 44. He opened fire again. Godfread was a random victim who was just shopping at the store, police say.By 10:08 p.m., Bair appeared ready to claim a third victim. Several employees and customers had fled the store. But Bair forced a store manager, who had run toward the commotion, to kneel, then began taunting him."The footage shows the manager with his hands up, as if he's praying," Indiana State Police Sgt. Trent Smith said Thursday.Elkhart police likely saved the manager's life, Smith said, as Bair fled into the aisles after police appeared. But just a minute later, as Bair brandished his firearm and a hunting knife, police opened fire, killing him.Six minutes. Three dead people. Too many questions."I wouldn't say it was well-planned, but it was obviously thought-out," Smith said. "Whether he was watching people or picking out people, we'll never know."Bair lived nearby, police say, and was known to frequent the area and that grocery store.His criminal record included drug and theft charges. He had been referred to Oaklawn Psychiatric Center. And his Facebook page was littered with violent statements and revealed a fascination with serial killers.Bair carried a large amount of ammunition into Martin's on W倉dnesday night and fired about seven to 10 shots, police said."He was going to the store with a mission," Smith said.Besides the weapons and ammunition, Bair was carrying some standard personal items, such as identification. Investigators searched the home of Bair's parents, where he lived, and removed some items, Smith said, without elaborating on what was found.'Face losses together'Indiana State Police are handling the investigation because Elkhart Police Department officers were involved in the shooting.Smith said the store is a large crime scene, spanning more than 10 or 12 aisles.The Martin's store was closed Thursday -- an empty parking lot marked with yellow police tape.At an afternoon news conference, Rob Bartels, president and chief executive officer of Martin's Super Markets, tried to read a statement he'd prepared. He choked up after the first line, and took a moment to regain his composure and started again."In our 67-year history we have not faced this kind of challenge," Bartels said. "We will do so earnestly and vigorously. We will face our losses together and we will find answers over time. ... Our prayers and sympathy are with all who are affected by this tragedy."Family and friends of the victims took to the Internet on Thursday to leave memories and messages. Friends described Dikes as a popular, outgoing young woman who was finding her way in life. Godfread's son, Joe, a basketball player at Indiana University South Bend, left a short message on Facebook: "R.I.P. Rachelle Godfread we love you."The Martin's parking lot also turned into a place of reflection. Several people dropped off flowers in the snow and by the plaza's main sign. More residents drove past the store, slowing down to take in the scene. And in the parking lot, in front of the police tape that blocked off much of the area, a purple sign was planted.It read: "Join us in prayer and remembrance."Tribune staff writers Margaret Fosmoe, Bob Blake, Amanda Gray and Alice Culp contributed to this report.CSheckler@SBTinfo.com574-235-6480Twitter: @jcshecklerCopyright: ___ (c)2014 the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.) Visit the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.) at .southbendtribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services24小時迷你倉