Inside the mind of the Amish school shooter

The small town of Bart Township, Pennsylvania is still in shock and filled with grief. The death toll is now up to five, the victims all girls ages 7 to 13. Another four girls remain hospitalized between the ages of six and 13.

The suspect left behind an arsenal of weapons, supplies and a suicide note.

Toni Yates has the latest from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

One Amish gentleman said this is clearly a man who had lost his mind. Even after hearing what was in Charles Roberts suicide note, the Amish tend to return to prayer and not wanting to linger on the killer's motives for killing their children.

Police say the first indication of what led Roberts down this deadly path came in a phone to his wife shortly before he began shooting little girls.

He said said that he molested two toddlers in his family 20 years ago. He would have been 12 years old at the time.

"They had no knowledge of any molestation by Roberts affecting any family member or anyone else," Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Jeffrey Miller said.

A suicide letter Roberts left his wife spoke of dreams involving more molestation.

Police say he also wrote of the agony of losing an infant daughter nine years ago. He said it was too much to handle and cursed himself and God that she died 20 minutes after she was born.

"Roberts was angry with God," Miller said. "He stated that it had changed his life forever and he was not the same since it happened."

Police say Roberts made the decision days before he attacked, meticulously planning. They say he made a checklist if items he would need to seize the school and restrain his young victims.

The list included tape, eyebolts, tools, nails, wrenches, hose, KY-Jelly, bullets, guns, binoculars, earplugs, batteries, flashlights, candles and wood.

"It's very possible that he intended to victimize these children in many ways prior to executing them and killing himself," Miller said.

But officers arriving on the scene hindered his plan, and a little Amish school became his last stand and the end of his tortured life. And sadly, the end for five little girls who did nothing but show up for school.

"Our deepest sympathies to the families of the children and the entire Amish community," Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said.

"You know, in the next few days, they'll lay these young people to rest," Amish elder Jack Meyer said. "But then they're looking forward to going on."

A prayer vigil is planned for Tuesday night in the community. The Amish say they have thanked the world for their thoughts and prayers, but they are ready for the attention to end so they can deal with the tragedy among themselves.

The children who were killed have been identified as:

1. Naomi Rose Ebersole - age 7
2. Anna Mae Stoltzfus - 12
3. Marian Fisher - 13
4. Mary Liz Miller - 8
5. Lina Miller - 7

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