Exclusive: Jared Loughner Radically Changed Before Alleged Shooting, Friend Says

ABC News ^ | Jan 9 2911 | Lee Ferran, Jason Ryan, Emily Friedman and Richard Esposito

[worst-case scenario]

A longtime friend of Jared Lee Loughner, the suspect in custody following the murder of six people in an apparent assassination attempt on Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, said there was a mysterious, significant change in him a year before the shooting. More Video 1 2 3 4 PreviousNext VIDEO: A total of 19 people were wounded by gunman Jared Lee Loughner's attack. Watch: Tragedy in Arizona: Timeline of Rampage VIDEO: Dr. Steven Rayle and Ken Penner describe the scene at the Safeway supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. Watch: Eyewitness Accounts of Arizona Shooting VIDEO: Tilman Fertitta talks about Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' personal side. Watch: Giffords' Close Friend Speaks Out

"He was a good person that just somehow changed so much," former classmate and friend Tong Shan told ABC News in an exclusive interview. "I don't know what the hell happened to him."

When she heard news reports of Loughner's arrest in connection with the deadly attack, she said, "I was shocked, but I believed it was him."

According to court documents released today, authorities discovered a safe in Loughner's home with a thank you letter from Giffords for attending a Congress on Your Corner event in 2007 -- the same kind of event Loughner allegedly assaulted Saturday. Another envelope said "I planned ahead," "My assassination" and "Giffords" and bore what appears to be Loughner's signature, the documents said.

[worst-case scenario]

Slam me all you want, but it's increasingly obvious this was an unhinged, unmedicated adult-onset schizophrenic.

[mnehring]

Why would anyone slam you, it is obvious he was a nut.

[NoLibZone]

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik failed to protect the community.

Even the college saw this man as a threat.

Use of AZs involuntary commitment laws would have bolstered what the Community College saw and acted upon

[Shannon]

Slam you? No way. That's exactly what it sounds like to me too; “an unhinged, unmedicated adult-onset schizophrenic”. 'Nuff said.

[Tolsti2]

He was medicated alright, with something that’s known to trigger schizophrenia.

[screaminsunshine]

FBI has him out of the loop. They know something.

[mlizzy]

What was he medicated on?

[MsLady]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I had been wondering that myself yesterday. What he said on youtube was so bizarre.

[Tolsti2]

Pot. Was a heavy user.

[spyone]

Hence the Sheriff’s rant to put the blame elsewhere. This is especially true if it turns out he was threatening her in the recent past.

[funfan]

I am sick about hearing about this guy I hope they make mincemeat of him sooner rather than later and since his targets included Federal personnel this lad is in a heap of trouble. I am still waiting to hear about charges for this scumbag in reference to the non federal people he assassinated some in the media and perhaps in congress
seem to just ignore them IMO which I find sad and shameful.

[MsLady]

I’m assuming illegal drugs of some sort?

[MsLady]

I knew pot caused brain cell death but, I didn’t know pot could cause that.

[Lazlo in PA]

Why would anyone slam you?

What I would like to know is if AZ is a death penalty state? If the killers lawyers prove diminished capacity, can they still kill him?

[al44]

I wonder if he stopped taking his meds a year ago?

[Ingtar]

I’m sure the “significant change” is falling under the spell of the Tea Party and Palin, renouncing his Leftist history, and becoming a Right wing killer. /s

[DoughtyOne]

Radical Change for a Leftist:

1. took a shower
2. brushed teeth
3. put on clean clothes
4. turned on something other than MSNBC, CNN, or the MSM News
5. swore off posting at DU, KOS, or the Puffington Compost for more than an hour
6. took a pass on the daily devotional to Marx, Socialism, Communism, Fascism, and destrying the great Satan, the U. S.
7. didn’t pray to these gods on the hour every hour all day

[mlizzy]

Okay, that can cause a psychotic episode I've heard. The kids involved in the Columbine shootings were said to be on anti-depressants I think (was this correct?), and they too can cause psychotic episodes if administered incorrectly.

This story also talks about abortion, and I can't help but think the legality of abortion is screwing up the minds of many, many people, especially those that are already sensitive types, on the edge. Tragic story all around.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2653939/posts

[HerrBlucher]

Any mood altering drug can, including of alcohol, when you combine the right dosage with the right personality.