Reed Wischhusen: the 'revenge' document identifying his targets
The 32-year-old gunman from Wick St Lawrence faces jail after being found guilty of a string of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges at Bristol Crown Court
Last updated 13th Oct 2023
A 32-year-old man from Wick St Lawrence, who had previously admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate now faces a jail term.
Today (13 October), gunman and Lidl warehouse worker Reed Wischhusen was found guilty by a jury of a string of charges, involving weapons, ammunition and explosives.
The jury were read a 1,700 word document written by Wischhusen in which he said: "Revenge is on my mind, it's a powerful motivator."
Over the course of this document, the defendant laid out his plans to enact revenge on 10 named people as well as his former school and Avon and Somerset Police.
Identifying his targets, he detailed in a document titled ‘revenge’ what it was he felt they had done to him.
Of these targets were six former classmates, who he accused of bullying him, and a teacher, who he felt didn't do enough to stop this bullying.
Wischhusen also named a number of police staff who rejected his applications for a firearms licence, making reference to one employee who he said refused him on two occasions.
He also said he knew where they lived.
Investigating officers later discovered he had paid to establish the member of police staff’s home address.
He wrote about how another police employee had told him he had “child-like views of the world” became “obsessed and fixated and was unable to handle rejection”. He added he would “let them go, let them have survivor’s guilt”.
Wischhusen also cited a failed attempt to become a Special Constable in the 1700 word document – his application was refused in 2011 due to concerns about his behaviour towards other members of the public and having been twice rejected for a firearms licence.
After detailing the various phases and options for attacks he wrote a page-long list of equipment he felt he needed.
He had added ticks next to many of the items, such as a silencer, a certain type of ammunition and full police uniform and body armour, indicating he had acquired them. All of these items were among those seized from his address during the investigation.
The infamous mass casualty attacks in Oklahoma, Dunblane and Columbine were all referenced in the document and in addition to revenge, gaining notoriety for his own attacks was also seemingly part of his motive.
“This would make national news, even international,” he wrote.
Ending the document with: “It has to happen, regardless.”
Wiscchusen was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court 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.
The judge in the case ordered pre-sentence reports and remanded Wischhusen into custody until he is sentenced on December 15.
Read more: Man plotting mass-shooting found guilty of weapons, ammunition and explosives charges