By Jason Beaubien and Katie Knapp
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kios/local-kios-655922.mp3
Omaha, NE – During Thursday morning's news conference, Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren said 19-year-old Robert Hawkins stole the AK-47 assault rifle that was used in Wednesday's shooting. The rifle, along with two 30-round magazines, were recovered at the scene. Hawkins killed eight people inside Von Maur and wounded several others before taking his own life.
Warren says notes confiscated during the early stages of the investigation show the killings were premeditated. He says Hawkins had mental health issues and talked of committing suicide. Hawkins left voice and text messages and visited a friend prior to entering Von Maur Wednesday afternoon.
Hawkins was a ward of the state from 2002 to 2006. He had been living in Bellevue.
Warren's comments about Hawkins' shooting spree at Von Maur are available by clicking on the link above. Audio for this story was provided by NPR's Jason Beaubien.