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Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
George Sodini seethed with anger and frustration toward women. He couldn't understand why they ignored him, despite his best efforts to look nice. He hadn't had a girlfriend since 1984, hadn't slept with a woman in 19 years.
"Women just don't like me. There are 30 million desirable women in the US (my estimate) and I cannot find one. Not one of them finds me attractive," the 48-year-old computer programmer lamented in a chilling diary he posted on the Internet.
For months, he also wrote vaguely about using guns to carry out his "exit plan" at his health club, where lots of young women worked out.
On Tuesday, Sodini put his plan into action.
He went to the sprawling L.A. Fitness Club in this Pittsburgh suburb, turned out the lights on a dance-aerobics class filled with women, and opened fire with three guns, letting loose with a fusillade of at least 36 bullets.
He killed three women and wounded nine others before committing suicide.
"He just had a lot of hatred in him and (was) hell-bent on committing this act, and no one was going to stop him," Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said Wednesday.
The 4,610-word Web diary appeared to be a nine-month chronology of his plans to end his misery with a shocking act of carnage at the health club. He portrayed himself as painfully and inexplicably lonely.
"Every evening I am alone, and then go to bed alone," he wrote. "I see twenty something couples everywhere. I see a twenty something guy with a nice twentyish young women. I think those years slipped right by for me. Why should I continue another 20+ years alone?"
It was unclear when the Web diary was posted and whether it had been updated online repeatedly since November or posted in its entirety recently. Moffatt said investigators are trying to determine whether anyone saw it online before the rampage.
"If anyone knew of it, they would have a moral and ethical obligation and legal obligation to bring it forward," the police superintendent said.
The violence rocked the town of about 5,300 people just outside Pittsburgh.
Killed were Heidi Overmier, 46, of Carnegie, a sales manager at an amusement park; Jody Billingsley, 37, of Mount Lebanon, who worked for a medical-supply company; and Elizabeth Gannon, 49, of Pittsburgh, an X-ray technician at Allegheny General Hospital.
"She can't be gone," said Gannon's next-door neighbor and close friend, Carl Rady, who knew her for 35 years and said she loved to work out and pamper her dog. "It can't happen that way."
Sodini was a member of the health club and had been there two times Tuesday before he came back at night, police said. He did not have a relationship with any of his victims, according to police.
In his Web diary, Sodini wrote of planning the attack since at least November and said he tried to carry it out when the same Tuesday-night aerobics class met on Jan. 6. "I cannot wait for tomorrow!" he exulted the night before. But he backed out at the last moment.
"It is 8:45PM: I chickened out!" he wrote. "I brought the loaded guns, everything. Hell!"
In his diary, he complained that women "don't even give me a second look ANYWHERE" even though he was tan and fit and claimed to dress well and smell nice. He listed his status as "Never married." In a chilling addition, he recorded the date of his death as Aug. 4, 2009.
On that evening, he walked into the health club wearing black workout gear and a headband, and entered the "Latin impact" class with four guns.
Jordan Solomon, 14, said she thought it was weird when a man walked into the all-female class and put a black duffel bag on the ground and reached into it.
"All of a sudden all the lights went out and I turned around, he started firing. I turned around and I saw him holding a gun," she said.
Solomon said the man was expressionless, and she didn't hear him say anything as he sprayed bullets. The teenager ran out of the room and into the parking lot, bolting into a restaurant where she told the workers to call 911.
Lauren Dooley, 27, who was exercising on a treadmill on the second floor, ran down the fire escape and out the rear of the building, where bystanders were applying pressure to victims' gunshot wounds.
"You just feel like you're in a movie ... a horrible movie where someone comes in and unleashes fire on everyone. You just don't know what to do," Dooley said.
She returned to the gym Wednesday morning to retrieve her purse and cell phone, but the doors were locked. A sign read: "Each of us in the LA Fitness family are shocked and saddened by the senseless acts of violence that took place at our Bridgeville club Tuesday evening."
Sodini did not have a criminal record, and he legally bought the guns he used, police said. Sodini used his cell phone a few minutes before the shooting, but Moffatt would not say whom he called.
Sodini's family issued a brief statement: "Our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families and we pray for the full recovery of the survivors."
Six patients remained hospitalized, including the aerobics instructor, Mary Primis, 26, who was listed in fair condition. Primis is pregnant but said doctors told her the baby is fine.
Authorities initially had difficulty identifying the victims because they had workout clothes on and weren't carrying wallets.
Sodini graduated in 1992 from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in computer science and had worked as a systems analyst at a Pittsburgh law firm since 1999.
A neighbor, Connie Fontanesi, said Sodini was so anti-social that "we really didn't learn anything personal about him."
Roberta Kozel, co-owner of Salon IAOMO, said Sodini was a regular at the tanning salon and last visited on Saturday. "He was just pretty normal, a little quiet -- like the classroom nerd," Kozel said.
Associated Press
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
Ironic that he had a deep hatred of women in their 20s, empties a gun in a room full of women, and kills women in their late 30s/late 40s.
Psychos like this guy don't realize its not their looks that turn people off. I saw his pic and he's just an average dude. Its the low self esteem that emits from every pore of their body that turns off women, not the looks.
He was probably the type that wont speak up in a social situation, looks down at the floor when talking to someone, yet is surprised he doesn't have 20 year old chicks begging to fuck him? Please.
Life is what YOU make it. If you're gonna stare at the floor, I don't care what you're wearing, you have a late night date with your right hand.
- monkeychow
- Rep: 661
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
Life is NOT what you make it. That's propoganda.
A side effect of the american (and by extension Australian) dream - that anyone can achieve wonderful things with effort - is to suggest that anyone who fails in the comunity just doesn't want it enough.
The reality is that some people have big limitations, and chance and circumstance play a big role.
Not everyone can be an an alpha-male tough guy that charms the pants of girls with a mix of hyperself confidence and bad manners.
The actions taken by this guy in the end are disgusting and I don't for a second condone them, but it's also regretable that we live in a society where people are so isolated, alone, and desperate for connection to another human that this kind of event can even occur.
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
Life is NOT what you make it. That's propoganda.
No, its reality. You choose what you want to do, and how you approach situations.
When I come home every day, I CHOOSE to pop pills and spend hours on the internet. Why do I not bitch about this and blame the world? Because I like doing that. I like this community, I like the other sites I go to, and I like getting high. Its a comfort zone, but one I like being in. If I want to go to a movie, out to dinner,etc., I go. I don't blame society for the fact I like to post whore on the internet, and this guy shouldn't be blaming women for his total lack of social skills.
They aren't the problem. HE is the problem, and proof of that is a morgue that contains three women who shouldn't be dead.
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
You're both technically right. Your future is whatever you make it, but at the same time, not all people are created equal.
How many out there, honestly, could say they would involve themselves with someone of a different color? You might. I might. But ALOT wouldn't. I know plenty of people that don't have a racist bone in their body, but aren't physically attracted to those of a different color, at all.
How many of us have set guidelines for what we find attractive? Some don't like fat chicks. Others love them. I personally don't care about weight, but if you've got a face that you can cut metal with, no thank you.
And how is that fair? Why is it fair that they get to be alone?
Flip side, social standards. Why is it fair that I get to be alone, because I don't make enough money to go out with certain people. They get to be happy, they get to be with others. But I don't. Is that fair? Is it reasonable to say, it's my own fault, because I could go out there and make more money and be more flashy, so I get attention? Or is that incredibly vain and shallow?
James ultimately is right. I'm just posing some hypotheticals, but this dude, screamed "zero personality" and "zero self esteeem" which is EVERYTHING to women.
He hadn't had a girlfriend in years. Hadn't been laid since he was a young adult. Never had women around him. Bred contempt and anger towards innocent women for his own misgivings. AND opened up fire with a gun killing three and wounding several others, before committing suicide.
Anything about that also lend some belief to the fact that this dude had straight up anti-social personality disorder. He never had a woman for so long, because the dude was fucking nuts, and didn't fit in with society at all either.
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
James & Monkey, I think you're both right. This guy prob had low self-esteem, and with some guys, it just exudes from your body & everything you speak. Being pessimistic about things, every little challenge or obstacle is a catastrophy. Girls pick up on that, and if you say it once, they might let it slide, but after 2 or 3 they take notice. You are not a guy who can conquer, and girls need that. It dates back to the hunters & gatherers, They need a man who can go out and provide for them. Get the best & biggest meat, kill the biggest animal with a spear, who isn't afraid to get hurt (his feelings hurt too). Some of you may thing I'm being aabsurd, but there's thruth to it.
Admittedly I do have pretty low self esteem, but that's how I can relate & empathize with what James is saying. But James just understand it's not something that's easily overcome. He probably couldn't just goto a gym, strike up a conversation with a girl, and ask her out. He can't just flick a switch, and suddenly be confident in himself. Probably scars from his upbringing give him a low self worth. Adolescence is hard on some people. I remember being great friends in elementary school with everyone, playing soccer at reccess, eating lunch with boys and girls. Then we went to middle school, and everything changed, guys started picking on other guys. Girls seperated into their clicks. And the school dances came. I was a nervous wreck & panicked at the thought of asking girls to dance. I've barely overcome that nervousness, but am certainly better with it.
Obviously he shouldn't blame others for his anger, and should focus on himself. Plus he gives quiet guys like me a bad rep.. 
But shooting up a bunch of others is lame, no matter what the age. But at a certain point you need to come to terms in life with who you are, and accept that. If no one loves you then so be it. A neighbor of mine, who's a cute 37 yr old girl, says "If it happens it happens".
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
I certainly understand not being the most outgoing person in the world. I think my mental issues are well documented on this site. 
I am one of those types that goes through stages. Not full on agoraphobia, but periods where I don't like leaving the house all that much. Definitely get anxiety in those situations. Back on the old site in 2007, I remember telling people how going to that first M.I.A. show was gonna be difficult for me. Wasn't looking forward to being around a few thousand people. Had I not been under the influence I probably wouldn't have been able to handle it.
Had no problems going to the following shows though, and could have went straight as an arrow.
I also can relate to not dating, although mine is by choice. Earlier this decade, I went a little over two years without dating. Just didn't desire it at the time, and I'm one of those people that have no issues with being alone. In fact, I like it. I like being able to do what I want to do, and even when dating/in a relationship, prefer having a buffer in place between me and who I'm with. Obviously such an attitude will never lead to marriage, but I'm not looking for that. If I had a live in girlfriend or was married, she'd come in here at 3 am bitching about me being online. No thanks. I like freedom. I can blast my music at all hours of the night. I can eat what I want, when I want. If I feel like driving to a friend's house to score some dope at 1 am, I can.
This guy should have just tried to come to terms with the situation. Enjoy the small things. Also, instead of being enraged at 20 year old women, do something. If he's that socially inept and/or inexperienced sexually, go to a prostitute. Maybe that would help him build some confidence. Baby steps.
Murder and/or suicide is not the answer. Had he stuck it out, his dream woman might have been right around the corner.
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
I don't have any *real* mental issues. In college I didn't work or do shit, just stayed up, slept til 11:00 and surfed online all day. I have never felt so "out of touch" with everything. Never had any interest in drugs either. While in Texas I just found those pot smokers I hung with for dumb and lazy, having problems finding Europe on a map. It's not my thing. Back in college and the year before college (mid 20's) I drunk most weekends..it was fun for awhile, being drunk as fuck and dumb as hell, but then I lost interest in that. I never understand people who gets so fixated on stuff. Some drink every day, others keep yapping on about Jesus and others work themselves to death. I never got it. I always loose interest after a few months or years.
I work a lot, I have written a book, I start a master degree. Keeping busy, working and doing shit is rewarding.
But I hear ya James..I live alone right now. I can play music whenever I want, as loud as I want. I can eat shitty food every day and not give a fuck. I'll miss parts of it when my girl moves in, but to live like that when I'm pushing 30...nah..I think I wanna move on from that. But kudos to you James for bringing it straight up. A person should live like he/she wants, as long as he/she doesn't hurt anyone doing it.
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
Agreed he shouldn't be angry at cute 20 year olds... That ship has sailed my friend. I'm only 36 & couldn't imagine dating younger than 25, and even that's a bit much. If this guy was going to the gym to meet 22 year olds he was going to the gym for all the wrong reasons. Funny though, sometimes I'll meet a cute young girl, and know she isn't interested in me, or just thinks I'm old, and it's a piece of cake to talk with her. No worries or fears she won't like me, since I know & don't care, so it's much more casual.
Re: Gunman at Pa. health club bitter over women
When you're alone, you eventually have to find peace in living YOUR life with YOURSELF, and be happy with that, like James has said he is content in.
This guy seemed to hold alot of weight in social norms, ones that he was incapable of achieving, and thus - lost his mind.
I date pretty infrequently, and it does get very lonely sometimes, but i'm pretty confident in myself, and enjoy my own company and living my own life the way I want, and i'm cool with that. It keeps me sane, and level. I don't need other people and their assurances to move forward and do what I want to do. If they want ot hop on board, the offer is there, if not, hey, I can do it on my own, and have a helluva time too.
