Student Death Toll in Pennsylvania Shooting Increases to 5

Two more children died today of their wounds sustained Oct. 2 when a 32-year-old dairy truck driver shot several female students in a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, located in eastern Lancaster County, Pa. The student death toll is now five, and the gunman committed suicide during the incident.

Charles Carl Roberts IV parked his pickup truck outside and ran into the schoolhouse early Monday morning, making threats. He ordered the boys and adults out of the classroom and lined up the girls against the chalkboard where he bound them and then shot several of them in the head execution style. In addition to those killed, five other girls were wounded during the incident and remain hospitalized.

According to authorities, the attack may have been sexually motivated. In a phone call from the scene, the suspect told his wife he had molested two children 20 years ago. In a suicide note he left, Roberts, who is not Amish, said he had dreams of molesting again. Police, however, say family members were unaware of the alleged incident, nor can authorities confirm that the molestation occurred two decades ago. Roberts was described by his wife and family as a loving and devoted father, having walked his children to their school before going on a rampage at the Amish schoolhouse.

There is no indication the victims of the Oct. 2 attack were sexually assaulted. The gunman, however, was carrying two tubes of sex lubricant, in addition to three guns, two knives, a stun gun, 600 rounds of ammunition, and lumber for a barricade. Police say Roberts meticulously prepared for the attack.

The town has approximately 30,000 occupants but doesn't have police because there is practically no crime. The school where the incident took place teaches children ages six to 13.