A federal prosecutor claimed that a former police officer who was killed after opening fire at a West Virginia courthouse was driven by a "deep hatred for the federal government," a broken heart, and health problems, NorthJersey.com reported.
U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld declined to comment further on Thomas Piccard's motivation but confirmed that those three factors led to the shooting that occurred Oct. 10.
In addition to notes he was carrying during the incident, investigators discovered more messages in his Ohio home regarding his feeling toward the government.
"I don't think he's entitled to or deserves a platform to express his thoughts or ideas," Ihlenfeld said at a news conference in Wheeling.
Although the prosecutor acknowledged it's impossible to know what was going on inside Piccard's head, there was no indication in his writings that suggested he planned on dying in the shooting.
According to Piccard's neighbors, he told them he was dying of stomach cancer and planned on moving to Florida just days before he died in the police shootout at the courthouse.
The neighbors also told officials that he had been vomiting blood and lost a lot of weight.
An autopsy shows that Piccard, 55, had an abnormal stomach but has yet to confirm stomach cancer, the prosecutor said. The medical examiner is expected to issue final results in about a month.
Aside from a hate for the government, the ex-cop allegedly had his heart broken by a woman he didn't know for long before the shooting..
During the shootout, 20 - 25 shots were fired. There were no other deaths, but two security guards were wounded by shattered glass from the courthouse and were treated at Wheeling Hospital.
Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie said the courthouse shooting highlights that no small town or big city in America is protected from similar incidents from happening.
"Things like this aren't just happening in large cities, in this country we need to do a better job on mental health," he said.
