Oregon shooting gunman's father speaks outside his California home

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Ian Mercer briefly addressed reporters outside his Tarzana, California, home, Thursday night
Mercer's 26-year-old son, Chris Harper-Mercer, has been identified as the gunman who opened fire inside Umpqua Community College on Thursday
Mass shooting in Roseburg, Oregon, left at least nine dead and seven others wounded
Survivors describe how Mercer made students state their religion before shooting them
Harper-Mercer graduated in 2009 from a Torrance, California, school for students with learning challenges on those on the autistic spectrum
He was also discharged from the army in 2008 after just five weeks of training

Published: 07:36 EST, 2 October 2015 | Updated: 17:04 EST, 2 October 2015

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The father of the Oregon gunman who opened fire inside Umpqua Community College has told of his shock in the immediate aftermath of the mass shooting.

Chris Harper-Mercer, 26, has been identified as the man who stormed inside Snyder Hall on the Roseburg campus in rural Oregon Thursday morning, shot a professor at a point-blank range, then ordered students to stand up and state their religion before shooting them one by one, according to the accounts of survivors.

Nine people were killed in the bloody rampage and seven others were wounded, among them three were hospitalized in a critical condition including one female student who suffered brain damage. Harper-Mercer was shot dead by police.

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In shock: Ian Marcer, the British father of Oregon shooter Chris Harper-Mercer, speaks to reporters outside his Tarzana, California, home Thursday night

'Filled with hate': Harper-Mercer, 26, has been described as an angry young man who idolized Nazi violence and the IRA, and expressed admiration for TV station shooter Vester Flanagan

Candles laid out in the shape of a heart are seen during a vigil in Roseburg, Oregon, in memory of the fallen and the wounded

United in prayer: Linda Riley (R), 61, leads a prayer-circle during a candlelight vigil in Roseburg, Oregon late on October 1

Outside his home in Tarzana, California, Thursday night, Mercer's British father, Ian Mercer, faced a barrage of questions from reporters, which he declined to answer.

A dejected Mr Mercer issued a brief statement, saying: 'It's been a devastating day, devastating for me and my family.'

He refused to talk about the tragedy and his son’s role in it, only adding: 'Shocked, shocked is all I can say,' before retreating back into the house.

The Daily Breeze reported that Harper-Mercer graduated in 2009 from Switzer Learning Center in Torrance, California, located about 30 miles from his father's current residence in Tarzana.

He and his mother moved to Oregon in 2013, while his father remained in California.

According to its website, the school serves students with 'learning challenges' and adolescents on the autism spectrum.

He had hopes of joining the army in late 2008 but they were quickly dashed and was discharged from Fort Jackson after five weeks of training.

The Pentagon confirmed and said he was discharged for 'failing to meet the minimum administrative standards to serve in the U.S. Army'.

The revelation came as it emerged that investigators found seven weapons at Mercer's home overnight, as well as six at the school - more than previously thought and all owned legally. He also wore a flak jacket.

A man of few words: Mr Mercer refused to talk about the tragedy at Umpqua Community College and his son’s role in it, only adding: 'Shocked, shocked is all I can say'

The shooter's stepsister was shocked by the news. 'I don't know what to say. I'm shaking right now,' said Carmen Nesnick in an interview with NBC Los Angeles

This included a 9mm Glock pistol and a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson, which were both traced back to the shooter.

He also had a .40-caliber Taurus pistol listed as being owned by someone in Portland and a .556-caliber Del-Ton, as well as five more ammo magazines, according to an official firearms report.

Police found a shotgun, four rifles and two pistols at Mercer's apartment.

Mercer was carrying a flak jacket containing steel plates, as well as five additional magazines of ammunition when he was confronted at the school, Douglas County Sheriff's Office said.

Tragic: The mass shooting claimed the lives of at least nine people, left seven others wounded and devastated the small rural community of Roseburg, Oregon

All of the guns were purchased legally, either by him or family members.

Under federal law, it is legal for licensed gun retailers, such as gun shops, to sell a handgun to people aged over 21, and rifles and shotguns to people aged over 18.

Oregon state law places an age limit of 18 on handguns and 'long guns', such as rifles or shotguns.

Accounts from those who knew Harper-Mercer, as well as his own postings online, paint a portrait of an angry loner who lived with his mother, idolized Nazi violence and the Irish Republican Army, and had an apparent fascination with mass shootings.

The 26-year-old had expressed admiration for Vester Flanagan, the Roanoke gunman who killed a news reporter and a cameramen on live TV in August.

Three days before Thursday's massacre, the 26-year-old uploaded This World Surviving Sandy Hook BBC Documentary 2015 for people to watch on a file sharing site.

'On an interesting note, I have noticed that so many people like him are all alone and unknown, yet when they spill a little blood, the whole world knows who they are. A man who was known by no one, is now known by everyone,' wrote Harper-Mercer of Flanagan.

Ignominious end: The gunman died in an exchange of gunfire with police officers (not pictured) who rushed into a study hall and confronted him

Traumatized: Hannah Miles, a student at Umqua Community College, said she was in the classroom next door to the deadly shooting on the campus

'His face splashed across every screen, his name across the lips of every person on the planet, all in the course of one day. Seems the more people you kill, the more you're in the limelight.'

He closed by saying; 'Also, if anyone gets the chance, go on YouTube and see the footage of him shooting those people. It's a short video but good nonetheless. Will post more later.'

According to his profile on a dating website, Harper-Mercer described himself as 'mixed race,' 'conservative Republican,' 'spiritual' but not a believer in organized religion.

News accounts stated that the 26-year-old was born in Britain and only recently moved from California to Oregon.

His parents Ian Mercer and Laurel Harper were married until 2006, and he lived in an apartment complex near the UCC campus.

Bryan Clay, a former neighbor of Chris Harper-Mercer’s in Torrance, California, recalled that he would see the young man every day walking around with a shaved head, combat boots and camouflage pants.

A NURSE, MATURE STUDENT, A QUADRUPLET AND A FORMER DRUG ADDICT WHO HAD MANAGED TO TURN HIS LIFE AROUND: THE OREGON VICTIMS

The tragic victims of Oregon's mass shooting were identified on Friday as relatives, friends and co-workers tried to come to terms with their tragic loss.

19-year-old student Lucero Alcaraz was the first to be identified by relatives. Her older sister, Maria Leticia, posted a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook saying the first-year UCC student had aspired to be a pediatric nurse.

'Lucero, I miss you I wish you were here,' Maria Alcaraz wrote. 'I can't sleep. I never got the chance to tell you how proud of you I was.

'You would have been a great pediatric nurse. I was so proud of you for getting you college completely paid through scholarships and you made it into college honors.

Lucero Alcaraz, left, was one of the first victims to be identified. She was training to become a pediatric nurse. Lucas Eibel, right, was also named among the dead - he is a quadruplet and just 18 years old

'You were going to do great things love. I ache so much right now..I need you..'

'I don't know how I will make it through this ...I don't know if I can ever relieve this pain. Rest in piece sister...I'll see you soon.'

The second victim was identified Friday as Jason Johnson, whose mother spoke proudly of her son's new-found commitment to turning his life around.

Tonja Johnson Engle told NBC News the 33-year-old had struggled with drug addiction but completed a six-month rehabilitation program and enrolled in Umpqua Community College to continue his education.

‘He started Monday and he was so proud of what he had accomplished, and rightly so," Johnson Engel tearfully told the station. ‘The other day he looked at me and hugged me and said, “Mom, how long have you been waiting for one of your kids to go to college?” And I said, “Oh, about 20 years."’

The heartbroken mother said she last saw her son alive as he was leaving for class Thursday morning.

'Love ya,' Jason told her after giving her a kiss. 'I'll see you this afternoon.'

20-year-old Treven Anspach, pictured left, was named as one of the victims by friends and relatives while Rebecka Carnes, 18, pictured right, was also killed. Her step-father said they were at a loss for words

The deaths of two more UCC students, Lucas Eibel and Rebecka Carnes, both 18 years old, were confirmed by their families this afternoon.

Carnes' stepfather, Aaron Chandler, told the station KATU: 'We are at a loss for words.'

The New York Times reported the 18-year-old was a star softball player in high school and was studying to become a dental hygienist. Carnes had just began classes at UCC on September 28.

Lucas Eibel, also 18 years of age, was a quadruplet. According to the Roseburg News-Review. Lucas, his two brothers, Mitchell and Cole, and sister Alexis graduated from high school this year.

A friend of 20-year-old Treven Anspach confirmed to People Magazine that he was among the victim's of Thursday shooting rampage.

'We have been trying to figure out how to tell everyone how amazing Lucas was, but that would take 18 years,' his family said in a statement.

'Lucas loved FFA, volunteering at Wildlife Safari and Saving Grace animal shelter. He was an amazing soccer player. He graduated Roseburg High School with high academic marks.'

Jesse Milbrat, also 20, told the publication he and Anspach were former school mates and co-workers at Roseburg Forest Products.

Jason Johnson's mother confirmed he was one of the dead. She said the 33-year-old had struggled with drug addiction in the past but was proud to have turned his life around

'He was a hard worker and a damn good basketball player,' the friend said. 'He deserves way better.'

Milbrat last saw Anspach in May before leaving for the Army.

'The last thing he said to me was, "Good luck and thanks for your service",' he said.

Kim Dietz, 72, was the oldest victim of the tragedy. Divorced with one daughter she was in a lecture when Chris Harper Mercer burst in.

A friend, Natalie Robbins, 38, said she heard of Mrs Dietz' death from a fellow student immediately after the shootings - news confirmed in a phone call two hours ago from the 72-year-old's former husband.

'Kim and I had a lot in common despite the differences in our ages,' said Mrs Robbins.

'She had come through a nasty divorce and she didn't have much education.

'She would help me with math. She was an open person, a lovely person and I watched her bloom over the two terms we studied together.

'Each term she got more comfortable [with me] and we shared many happy moments and a few tears too.'

Kim Dietz, 72, is the oldest victim identified so far, she was a mature student at the Oregon college

Recent high school graduate Quinn Cooper, 18, was also named as a victim.

His family described him as a 'funny, sweet, compassionate and such a wonderful loving person. He always stood up for people. Quinn and his brother Cody are inseparable. I don't know how we are going to move forward with our lives without Quinn. Our lives are shattered beyond repair. No one should ever have to feel the pain we are feeling.'

Teacher Lawrence Levine was also killed in the shooting. Eyewitness reports suggested it was his class that Chris Harper-Mercer targeted in the massacre.

Sarena Dawn Moore, 44, of Myrtle Creek was the ninth victim.

18-year-old 'funny, sweet and compassionate' Quinn Cooper, left, was killed as was lecturer Larry Levine, right

Sarena Dawn Moore, 44, was one of the victims identified in Thursday's mass shooting

‘He would really just walk really fast, avoid anybody who came towards him,’ he told NBC.

A neighbor in Oregon, Bronte Harte, told The Associated Press that Mercer ‘seemed really unfriendly" and would "sit by himself in the dark in the balcony with this little light.’

However, a relative of the Mercers offered a very different picture of the 26-year-old gunman, calling him a 'nice guy.'

‘He put everyone before himself. It doesn't sound right because he wanted everyone to be happy,' the family member told NBC Thursday.

Stacy Boylan, the father of an 18-year-old student who was wounded in the massacre carried out by Mercer but survived by pretending to be dead, told CNN his daughter recalled seeing her professor being shot point blank as the assailant stormed into the classroom.

Memorial in lights: Amanda Calvert, a former student at Umpqua Community College, helps to spell the initials of the school with candles during a vigil at Stewart Park in Roseburg Thursday

AJ Sewell (3rd L), 23, holds his daughter Alana (2nd L), 2, as they attend a candlelight vigil in Roseburg, Oregon late on October 1, 2015, for the victims of the mass shooting

Scores of people, among them Kevin Crawford, 54, and his wife Pamala, 51 (right), huddled at the somber memorial held just hours after the shooting

Signs, flowers and candles are displayed at the Thursday night vigil at UCC in Roseburg

'He was able to stand there and start asking people one by one what their religion was,' Boylan said, relating the ordeal as described by his daughter. '"Are you a Christian?" he would ask them. ... "If you're a Christian, stand up. Good. Because you're a Christian, you're going to see God in just about one second," and he shot and killed them. And he kept going down the line, doing this to people.'

Scores of people huddled at a somber candlelight vigil in a park on Thursday night.

'We need to start loving each other as people ... or our nation is going to start falling apart,' said Michael Sprague, 35, a businessman who lives in the Roseburg area.