Investigators now say the deadly library shooting in Chico appears to have been directly inspired by the Columbine High School mass shooting.
Officials say suspect Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, of Chico made a deep dive into social media material about the 1999 Columbine shooting in Colorado, and allegedly wanted to carry out a similar attack.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said at a press conference Tuesday that Sayer had become immersed in that content.
“The suspect was a fan, and a fan for some time, of social media involving Columbine-type shootings, the kind of school shootings,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey said Sayer allegedly wanted to carry out a “copycat” attack.
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said investigators believe writing on Sayer's clothing alluded to the Columbine shooting.
“He wore a white T-shirt,” Patel said, “and a white T-shirt he wrote with black handwritten marker, ‘natural selection.’”
The phrase was an apparent reference to Eric Harris, one of the Columbine shooters, who also wore a shirt bearing the words "natural selection,” Patel said.
Police say Sayer had no known connection to the victims.
Sayer is expected to be charged with two counts of murder and make his first court appearance on Thursday.
