Friends Shocked by UT Gunman’s Actions

Colton Tooley

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ People who knew Colton Tooley say the University of Texas math major showed no signs of turmoil before he tried to shoot up the campus and then committed suicide.

Both a high school classmate and a neighbor who has lived across the street from Tooley’s family for decades say they were stunned when the UT sophomore opened fire with an AK-47 this week and then turned the gun on himself. No one other than Tooley died in the incident.

The university has no record of Tooley being flagged for behavioral concerns before Tuesday.

James Alan Fox is a professor of criminology at Northeastern University. He says high-achieving students can become dangerous if they are isolated and without balance in their lives.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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