Chris Harper Mercer, the Umpqua Community College shooting suspect, was in basic training with the U.S. Army in South Carolina for one month in 2008, before the Army discharged him.
“A review of Army records indicate that Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer was in service at Ft. Jackson, S.C., from 5 November-11 December 2008 but discharged for failing to meet the minimum administrative standards to serve in the U.S. Army,” the Pentagon said in a news release, CNN reported Friday.
The U.S. Army confirmed to ABC News that the gunman was indeed enrolled in basic training in 2008.
On Thursday, Mr. Mercer opened fire at the community college in Roseburg, Oregon. Nine people were killed and seven injured in the attack. He reportedly targeted Christians for execution.
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