Neil Allan MacInnis, 18, is the man accused of shooting two women in a Virginia mall in the town of Christianburg on April 12, police have confirmed in a press conference statement. The attack happened at the New River Valley Mall, inside a New River Community College location. Both women were taken to hospital, their conditions remain unknown.
Wow…I don’t know what to say. I would of never thought that he would be the one to do something like this. #Speechless
— Zachary §cott(@Grr8Sc0tt) April 12, 2013
Here’s what you need to know…
1. He Allegedly Announced the Attack on 4Chan
According to Gawker, this now-deleted message appeared on the forum 4Chan:
Below is the image of the man that appears on the website that is linked to in the 4Chan post:
2. He Lives in Walking Distance to the Shooting
MacInnis is a Native of Christianburg, Virginia. He graduated from Christianburg High School, according to his resume, and he lives in walking distance to the scene of the crime, according to his own website.
3. He is a Graduate of the College
MacInnis was a graduate of New River Community College, the school that he allegedly shot up today, although he attended the Dublin, Virginia location and not the Christianburg location he allegedly targeted.
4. He Works at Old Navy
Neil MacInnis worked at this Old Navy story in River Valley, Virginia.
According to his resume, his duties include:
Assist customers on the floor, Manage fitting room area, Run cash register. Named MVP(Most Valuable Preventer – Loss Prevention) in 2012
MacInnis worked at the store for two years.
5. He was a Former Employee of Virginia Tech
MacInnis worked at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the college.
Virginia Tech was the location of a horrific mass shooting in 2007 that claimed the lives of 32 innocent students and faculty at the hands of Seung-Hui Cho, who also killed himself. It was the second-worst school shooting in American history and the worst college shooting.
6. He had Extra-Curricular Activities in College
His resume lists him as being active in the tennis and drama club during his time in college. On another profile he stated his enjoyment at surfing the web looking for “funny photos.”
7. His Favorite Movie Starred 2Pac
MacInnis’ favorite movie appears to have been the little known 2Pac vehicle, Gang Related. In college he made a website dedicated to it.
The plot of the movie revolves around two cops, one of whom is 2Pac, who frame a homeless man for a murder they committed.
A screenshot from MacInnis’ website on Gang Related.
8. MacInnis is Accused of Shooting Two Women Today
Police apprehending Neil MacInnis. Photo via WDBJ7.com.
One woman was airlifted to a local hospital, and another was brought by ambulance. The identities and condition of the victims have not been released, reports the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. According to the Roanoke Times:
Sisson said MacInnis is charged with two counts of malicious wounding and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held in New River Valley Regional Jail.
9. Another Online Profile Says he Likes to “Create”
MacInnis (center) pictured with cousins in November 2012.
It also includes: Designing things, Creating things, Walking, Driving.
10. He had Future Goals
According to his site:
I plan to continue taking classes after I earn my degree. One day I hope to work in New York, or another big city. I want to make websites for a living and make graphics in my spare time.
MacInnis planned on graduating “next Spring” (around now, the blogger profile was set up in late 2012) and planned:
…graduating next spring with an associates in Computer Graphics and Web Design.