Police, families still seek 'why' in NIU shooting

Family and friends have started burying the victims.

Many of the wounded are healing, at least physically.

Professors start back on campus today.

But five days after that bloody Valentine's Day at Northern Illinois University, it seems increasingly doubtful the public will ever know exactly why the gunman walked into a lecture hall and opened fire on scores of unsuspecting students.

"I'm hoping a letter is going to come in the mail and it will tell me why -- why he did this," said the gunman's sobbing girlfriend, Jessica Baty, in segment of a Sunday CNN interview released Monday.

Baty did receive several packages from her live-in boyfriend, containing psychology books, a new cell phone, about $100 and a purse. None of the items -- or the brief note that said "don't forget me" -- provided any clues as to the gunman's reasoning.

What is known: the 27-year-old shooter had a history of mental illness and stopped taking antidepressants three weeks ago, making him "erratic," according to authorities. In the months leading up to the surprise attack, he started covering his body in bizarre tattoos and stockpiling guns.

More Coverage How to Help MEMORIAL FUND - DeKalb and Sycamore business associations have established a fund to help erect a community memorial in remembrance of the five lives lost in Thursday's shootings. To donate, visit www.dekalb.org. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND - NIU has established a scholarship fund in memory of the five students slain Feb. 14. To contribute, visit webcluster.niu. edu/CreditCard/fdn2_step1.html or call (877) 448-2648. Video Survivor's father speaks

Yet, those close to him say he seemed normal to them, and several teachers and friends still can't grasp that the ace student who studied social justice and the mentally ill was so troubled himself.

"He was kind, well-mannered, quick with a smile. He wanted to do his best," said NIU sociology professor Kristen Myers in an e-mail Monday. "Regardless, he chose an abominable path on his last day. His victims and their families were seemingly arbitrary targets, and I grieve for them."

Baty of Wonder Lake said she had no indication her boyfriend was having serious mental health issues. She said he was seeing a psychiatrist once a month and wanted to stop taking the anti-depressants because "he wanted to deal with his problems and not have to use medications."

Police continue to conduct interviews with victims and those close to the gunman.

"We seem to have a rough sketch (of the gunman) and the investigation is filling in the details," said NIU spokeswoman Melanie Magara, who called it "nuts-and-bolts police work."

Investigators are sifting through evidence collected from Baty and the shooter's Champaign apartment and a Travelodge room where he stayed for three nights before the slaughter, smoking cigarettes and downing energy drinks. The shooter left behind a laptop there.

The investigation

The gunman originally checked into a neighboring Best Western on Feb. 11, but he immediately checked out, clerk Christine McLaughlin said Monday. The maids didn't find the room disturbed.

Travelodge manager Jay Patel said the gunman signed in only as "Steve" and paid $199.90 in cash for four nights but stayed only three. He didn't check out on Valentine's Day when he went to campus a few blocks away with three handguns and a shotgun hidden in a guitar case.

Baty said her boyfriend told her he would meet her in class that day. Both attended the graduate school of social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They met while sociology majors at NIU and both took graduate courses in sociology there before transferring to the U of I together in the summer of 2007.

The two had dated on and off for two years, she said.

"He had told me he was going to come to class. He was going to be there and come and see me on Valentine's Day," Baty told CNN.

Baty refused to talk to the press before or after her CNN interview Sunday.

Others close to the gunman remain equally baffled Monday. Richard Grafer, the gunman's godfather, told the Daily Herald, "he sounded relieved, upbeat and he was as clear as a bell" when they talked on the phone Tuesday.

The two, who had just recently reconnected, were supposed to go fishing or play chess over the weekend. But in retrospect, some of the shooter's comments seem chilling in today's context.

Graft said his godson told him he recently broke up with his girlfriend and was "looking at girls at NIU." Graft took that to mean the gunman was socializing with girls from his alma mater.

Investigators have said there was no indication the gunman knew anyone in the lecture hall he shot up. But he did once teach there as a graduate student.

A few weeks ago, the gunman asked his godfather about what kind of guns to buy for target practice.

Graft said he told him to save his money and buy a fishing pole because of all the laws associated with gun purchases. Graft, who hadn't seen his godson since he was about 12 years old, said he was unaware of the man's mental health history.

Baty said she knew her boyfriend had two guns, but that he said they were for protection. She said he would go to a shooting range and practice over the last several months.

Before college, the Elk Grove High School graduate enlisted in the Army around September 2001. It is unknown if he signed up before or after the terrorist attacks, said Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb, an Army spokeswoman.

By February 2002, he was given an entry-level separation, similar to an annulment, meaning he never technically was a member of the military, Edgecomb said.

Close family members continued to be unavailable for comment Monday.

A note posted on Friday at the home of the shooter's 28-year-old sister in Champaign said, in part, "We are both shocked and saddened. In addition to the loss of innocent lives, Steven was a member of our family. We are grieving his loss as well as the loss of life resulting from his action."

Baty described her boyfriend as harmless, and that she didn't see anything wrong with him in the weeks leading up to the murders.

"I was with him all the time," she said. "How could I not have seen this coming? I feel partially responsible because maybe I should have seen something."

The distraught Baty also said her boyfriend was victim as well on Valentine's Day.

"I feel so bad for the victims. I can't tell them how sorry I am," she said. "But he was a victim too. I know they probably won't want to hear that, but he was."

Recovering

Meanwhile, university officials say they are working to move forward.

A major memorial service is planned for Sunday. The next day students will return to class with the help of about 300 grief counselors, who will be stationed in almost every class.

Most of the wounded survivors continued to improve Monday, though one victim of the original 16 remained in serious condition at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Maria Ruiz Santana, 19, of Elgin suffered gunshots to her head, neck and chest.

Sherman Yau, 20, of Naperville remained in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the chest at Good Samaritan after being upgraded from serious condition over the weekend.

Lauren Debrauwere, 19, of Lake Barrington was upgraded to fair condition Monday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after undergoing surgery for two gunshot wounds. Her boyfriend was Dan Parmenter of Westchester, one of the students killed.

At Rockford's St. Anthony Medical Center, Brian Karpes, 27, of Rolling Meadows was upgraded from serious to fair condition Monday. Another victim at Rockford Memorial Hospital remained in fair condition Monday.

And Samantha Dehner, 20, of Carol Stream was released Monday from Kishwaukee Community Hospital after recovering from gunshots to the right arm and right thigh.

The hospital, which received 18 of the original victims Thursday, is no longer caring for any NIU shooting victims.