The Colorado Springs guy was a major stoner. Posted on pot websites.
And the shooter yesterday looks stoned here:
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Assassin \As*sas"sin\, n. [F. (cf. It. assassino), fr. Ar.
`hashishin one who has drunk of the hashish. Under its
influence the Assassins of the East, followers of the Shaikh
al-Jabal (Old Man of the Mountain), were said to commit the
murders required by their chief.]
One who kills, or attempts to kill, by surprise or secret
assault; one who treacherously murders any one unprepared for
defense.
[1913 Webster]
Loughner was a serious baker.