Feb 17, 2008 10:03 pm US/Central
NIU Gunman's Girlfriend: I Noticed Nothing Unusual
DE KALB, Ill. (CBS) ―
Sunday was a day of prayer for the Northern Illinois University community. As students, faculty, friends and family start to heal, we're learning more about the troubling life of the gunman from his girlfriend.
Stephen Kazmierczak's girlfriend said Sunday that he called her early on Valentine's Day, the day of the shooting, to say goodbye.
Kazmierczak "called me at midnight and told me not to forget about him," Jessica Baty, 28, told CNN from her home. She said she had no indication he was planning anything.
Investigators still haven't determined why Kazmierczak, 27, opened fire in a lecture hall at his and Baty's alma mater, and she shed no light on a motive Sunday.
"The person I knew was not the one who went into Cole Hall and did that," Baty told CNN. "He was anything but a monster. He was probably the ... nicest, (most) caring person ever."
The day of the shooting or the day after, Baty received a package from Kazmierczak containing two textbooks, a cell phone and what she characterized as a "goodbye note."
"You've done so much for me," the note said, according to Baty. "You will make an excellent psychologist and social worker someday."
Another package contained a gun holster and ammunition. She confirmed that he had stopped taking an antidepressant about three weeks ago because "it made him feel like a zombie," but she denied that his recent behavior was unusual.
"He wasn't erratic. He wasn't delusional. He was Steve; he was normal," Baty said.
Authorities have speculated that the couple might have split up just before the shooting. Baty did not discuss the status of her relationship with Kazmierczak during Sunday's televised interview, telling CNN only, "I still love him."
An NIU professor who befriended Kazmierczak and Baty during their years on campus told The Associated Press earlier Sunday that Baty was upset by media reports of their relationship as rocky and abusive.
Jim Thomas, an emeritus professor of sociology and criminology at NIU, said Baty feels she and Kazmierczak were a typical young couple.
"They were two people in love with all the pains, joys, squabbles, ups/downs of any other relationship," Thomas said.
The motive for this violence may never be known, but the community searched for answers in Sunday services.
As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, even though the NIU campus is relatively empty, many people have stopped at Cortland United Methodist Church for a moment of reflection on the tragedy that took place not far from this hill.
Churches all around DeKalb have opened their doors for anyone seeking peace and fellowship.
"If you have a good support team, a welcoming church can help you out a little bit," said church member Mike Velez.
The sanctuary was decorated in red, black and white and participants wore NIU Huskies sweatshirts.
The church is a couple of miles away from campus but Huskie spirit prevails everywhere.
And church member Christian Riddle, who works for NIU, is looking forward to the day students return to school.
"We'll enter in a way, be there and be prepared for when students come back on the 24th," Riddle said.
As candles were lit for 20-year-old victim Catalina Garcia at the service in Cortland, mourners attended visitation for her at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Forest Park.
One hundred parishioners worshipped at the NIU chapel, where the priest preached that good rises above evil.
"We can see the reaction is signs of love and peace, that's what's good," said NIU alumna Alicja Szajka.
Teachers return Tuesday for special training on how to welcome students back.
There will be a memorial service on campus Feb. 24. Classes resume on Feb. 25.
Services for two more victims will be Monday and Tuesday. A visitation and memorial for 19-year old Ryanne Mace will be held in St. Charles Monday afternoon.
And in west suburban Westchester a visitation will be held for 20-year-old Dan Parmenter. His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday.
Services will be held later in the week for the two other students killed.
CBS 2's Joanie Lum and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Video: CBS 2's Picks To Click
