Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Police think they know why CNMI gunman went on shooting rampage

Posted at 02:22 on 23 November, 2009 UTC

Police in the Northern Marianas believe they know why a gunman on Saipan killed four people, including two children, and then himself.

The man, who police won’t yet name, opened fire at a shooting range on Friday and then went to the Last Command Post Park where he shot at a group of South Korean tourist, injuring six of them before killing himself.

The police say they’ve established a possible motive but won’t release details until this is confirmed.

Our correspondent in the CNMI, Mark Rabago, says police think the gunman had laid out a plan for the attacks.

“Police also said that before he shot himself he tried to burn all his identification cards. They say it was a pre-meditated plan. He planned everything.”

Our correspondent in the Northern Marianas, Mark Rabago.