ROSEBURG, Ore. — The father of the gunman who killed nine people at an Oregon community college says he had no idea his son had guns. He also believes gun laws should change.
Ian Mercer, the father of gunman Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer, lives in California. His 26-year-old son had been living in Oregon.
Ian Mercer told CNN on Saturday that he is struggling to understand how and why the shooting happened and that he was stunned to learn his son had accumulated so many guns.
Authorities say Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer had 14 guns and took six to the campus.
Ian Mercer also told CNN his heart goes out to the grieving families.
The father says there is talk about gun control after shootings such as the one in Oregon but nothing is done.
He says the Oregon attack would not have happened if his son had not been able to get guns.
Authorities released a statement Saturday from the relatives of Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer saying “our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers go out to all of the families of those who died and were injured.”
The 26-year-old Harper-Mercer opened fire Thursday at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.
Officials have not released a motive. They said Saturday that Harper-Mercer killed himself after officers arrived at the scene.
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