An apparent Aurora copycat plotted to shoot up a screening of the new Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 movie in Bolivar, Missouri, this weekend but was foiled by police. Blaec Lammers amassed weapons similar to those used by James Holmes in July’s Dark Knight Rises Massacre in Colorado. His mother contacted police on Thursday, leading to his arrest. Lammers, 20, is charged with first-degree assault, making a terroristic threat and armed criminal action. He’s being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
Here’s what we know about this d-bag and his alleged plans.
1. He Was Well-Armed
Local police say Lammers had purchased two assault-style rifles, for “hunting,” and had 400 rounds of ammunition. Lammers made his weapon purchases this week, buying a semi-automatic .223 on Monday, November 12, and another semi-automatic, but this time a .22, on Tuesday, November 13. Both guns were bought at Wal-Mart. The weapons are similar in appearance to the AR-15s that James Holmes used in the Aurora, Colorado, shooting in July. And yes, you can buy assault-style weapons at Wal-Mart.
2. He Practiced at a Shooting Range this Week
Lammers was a firearms novice, telling police he’d never shot a weapon before going to a local shooting range this week.
3. He Had Tickets to the Sunday Show
Lammers allegedly planned to shoot up a screening of Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 this Sunday night at B&B Theater in Bolivar, Missouri. He told cops that he purchased tickets.
4. His Mother Dimed Him
It was Lammers’ mother, who was not named by police, who made contact with local cops at noon on November 15. She was concerned about her son purchasing weapons that she felt were similar to those used by James Holmes in the Aurora, Colorado, shootings. She felt he was going to shoot people at the Twilight: Breaking Dawn movie. His mother also described the vehicle that Lammers would be driving, a lime green Volkswagen bug that belonged to his girlfriend (who clearly never saw his dating profile). Local officer Michale Sly saw the car at a Sonic restaurant on Springfield Avenue and spoke with Lammers at about 1:20 p.m. Thursday.
5. He’s an Apparent James Holmes Copycat
James Holmes, shooter in the Aurora massacre.
James Holmes killed 12 people when he shot up the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises July 12 in Aurora, Colorado. Lammers had similar assault weapons and targeted a similarly popular blockbuster movie (opening this weekend). In his interview with police, Bolivar cops state, he showed a kinship with other gunmen:
Blaec Lammers stated that he had a lot in common with the people that have been involved in those shootings. Blaec Lammers state that he was quiet, kind of a loner, had recently purchased firearms and didn’t tell anybody about it, and had homicidal thoughts.
6. He Was Off His Meds
Blaec Lammers’ Facebook profile photo.
Lammers was said to be off his medication, though the medication was not specified.
7. His Other Target Was a Wal-Mart
Lammers’ initial alleged plan was to shoot up the theater. He later abandoned this plan to attack a nearby Wal-Mart, his logic being that he would have access to more ammunition, police say. Lammers allegedly intended to shoot customers as they entered the store, and when he ran out of ammo he would break the glass where bullets are stored. His plan was not to die but to turn himself in to police when they arrived on the scene.
8. He Allegedly Wanted to Stab Someone to Death in 2009
Lammers’ mother said that this was not the first time that her son has targeted Wal-Mart for violence. In 2009, he allegedly threatened to stab an employee to death. He allegedly followed an employee around the store until officers stopped him. He was never convicted of a crime in that incident. His only criminal history prior this week involved speeding fines. What is it with this guy and Wal-Mart?
9. He Went to the Same High School as Chris Klein
Lammers graduated from Millard High School in Kirksville, Missouri, alma mater of American Pie star Chris Klein, who plays the character Oz. Klein graduated in 1997.
10. He Has a Sad Dating Profile
Lammer’s dating profile does not make for interesting viewing. Describing himself as a straight male, his numerous requests for companionship go unanswered. For three weeks in a row he announces himself as being in Springfield, Missouri asking if anyone is nearby, nobody responds. Eventually there is a particularly lame interaction involving a girl making a Simpsons-Springfield related joke.