“Deeply shocking” bodycam footage shows the moment a former Lidl worker, who plotted a mass murder at his former school, was shot by police fearing for their lives after he pointed a gun at them.
Reed Wischhusen built homemade firearms and explosives in a bid to carry out a “hitman-style” attack, targeting 10 people including ex-classmates and teachers at Priory School in Worle, Somerset, while disguised as a police officer.
The 32-year-old – who had a “macabre” obsession with serial killers and lone gunmen including Dunblane murderer Thomas Hamilton and Raoul Moat – also intended to attack Avon and Somerset Police HQ.
On Friday, Wischhusen was jailed for life at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of a series of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges.
The former Lidl warehouse worker wrote down his plans in a 1,700-word document he dubbed “revenge”, the court heard.
He amassed an arsenal of homemade weapons including pistols, submachine guns and a shotgun, together with ammunition, bombs, grenades and poison.
But the plot was thwarted after police raided the home he shared with his father in Wick St Lawrence, Somerset, on 28 November last year, following a tip-off about weapons.
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Police bodycam footage showed how officers were forced to shoot Wischhusen after he pointed a handgun at them as the property was searched.
Moments earlier he attempted to shoot himself in the head in the bathroom, before running downstairs to confront officers.
While he was “calm and controlled” during the incident, officers feared for their lives and were left traumatised, the court heard.
In victim impact statements, one officer described having recurring nightmares while another revealed how they “struggle to get past the point of having shot someone”.
One colleague said: “The incident makes you realise how fragile life can be. It is something that will never leave me.”
Officers gave first aid to Wischhusen which, together with a blood transfusion, saved his life, the court heard.
Passing sentence, Judge Martin Picton said only a life sentence was appropriate and ruled Wichhusen must serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars before being considered for parole.
‘Deeply shocking’ bodycam footage
He described the events that unfolded during the police raid, shown in the body-worn camera footage, as “deeply shocking”.
Judge Picton told Wischhusen: “I have watched and rewatched the video footage and you were calm and controlled.
“Having chosen to carry a loaded firearm on your person when going about your daily life shows the danger you pose to society.
“It’s reflective of your obsession with weapons.”
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A jury convicted the defendant of having an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate.
He earlier admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate.
Judge Picton directed the jury to find the defendant guilty of an eighth charge of having an explosive substance.
