The dad and mom of accused Chico library shooter Bradley Sayer fought over his entry to weapons throughout their bitter divorce battle, the California Publish can reveal.
The 18-year-old, stated to be a “fan” of the notorious Columbine Excessive Faculty bloodbath, is accused of fatally taking pictures two males, Jacob “Cody” Hull, 46, and Robert Johnson, 74, throughout the June 22 assault.
Court docket paperwork solely obtained by The Publish lay naked how Sayer’s mom, Vicki Sayer, 51, was towards her autistic son being permitted to make use of weapons, whereas his father, David Sayer, 66, was in favor as a result of, for the teen, taking pictures weapons “enriched his life.”
The dad and mom additionally beforehand argued about how a lot display time Sayer, a latest graduate of Chico Excessive Faculty, spent on his iPad.
On June 13, 2022, when Sayer was 14, Vicki’s household legislation legal professional despatched a letter to her soon-to-be-ex’s lawyer which said: “Your consumer over the weekend had Bradley taking pictures weapons, which Ms. Sayer considers a security subject.
“Ms. Sayer doesn’t imagine it’s applicable for Bradley to be taking pictures weapons. Bradley has autism and it seems that your consumer continues to not take this into consideration, as Bradley doesn’t operate as a traditional baby.
“My consumer doesn’t know what to do about the truth that your consumer doesn’t appear to know Bradley’s limitation and desires. Easy issues like taking Bradley’s IPAD from him may be very hurtful to the kid.”
The letter from Vicki’s household legislation legal professional, Kimberly Steffenson, additionally made reference to forensic psychologist Dr. Eugene Roeder, who labored on their case and made suggestions concerning Bradley.
“Because of what occurred, Ms. Sayer won’t be signing the Stipulation and Order and easily desires what Dr. Roeder really helpful with the modification that Mr. Sayer is NOT to take Bradley taking pictures,” wrote Steffenson. “My consumer feels that enter by Dr. Roeder is required right now.”
David’s legal professional, Randy Bakke, then fired again in a tersely worded letter the identical day: “There have at all times been weapons within the household residence, for the whole lot of the wedding, that has included the elevating of all three kids till the date of separation.
“Any weapons, have and proceed to be saved correctly. At no time throughout the marriage was this of any concern to Ms. Sayer.
“For the reason that date of separation, Vicki has tried to dominate and manipulate David’s relationship together with his son, Bradley.
“David has continued to offer constant, age-appropriate actions that they’ve executed collectively as a household, father and son, to proceed to construct their bond.”
These actions included, “studying to focus on shoot with a BB Gun,” and “advancing to focus on taking pictures with a single shot 22.”
Additionally, “snow snowboarding and winter sports activities,” “water tubing,” “loading and stacking firewood,” and “{golfing}.” The letter added “all of those actions have been below the direct supervision of his father, David.
“These actions have enriched his (Bradley’s) life and have constructed an exquisite bond between father and son and continues (ed observe: s on continues) to take action.”
Lawyer Bakke’s letter continued: “It is vitally insulting and discouraging for David to listen to the way in which that Ms. Sayer talks about their son as not being a ‘regular’ baby.
“As a result of Ms. Sayer chooses to make use of and restrict their son’s capabilities based mostly on his analysis of autism, doesn’t imply that David locations the identical limitations on him nor does he should.
“David chooses to embrace who Bradley is and desires him to thrive and have as many alternatives as attainable.”
In one other communication, Bakke commented of the feuding dad and mom: “The events clearly have completely different parenting types.”
Throughout a Settlement Convention listening to on June 22, 2022, it was agreed that the warring couple, who’ve three sons, would share joint authorized and bodily custody of Sayer, the youngest, with Vicki granted “sole academic rights.”
She was additionally awarded sole authorized custody of their center son, Matthew, who was 17 on the time.
A doc filed with the Butte County Superior Court docket, additionally stipulated that: “Bradley Sayer shall attend a gun security class together with his father on 8/6/22 from 8:00a.m. till the category finishes.”
It was additionally famous that Sayer would obtain “particular person counseling with the deal with his social points, his isolation and withdrawal tendencies and the impression of his neuroatypical growth on his habits and functioning.”
The teenager appeared in Butte Superior Court docket in Oroville, 75 miles north of Sacramento, on June 25, charged with two counts of homicide with particular circumstances.
In the course of the arraignment listening to, he appeared to show a infamous hand signal related to hate teams. No plea was entered. Prosecutors are in search of a sentence of life with out parole if the suspect is convicted.
Officers say he wrote “Pure Choice” in black marker on his white T-shirt in a bid to imitate the Columbine shooters throughout the library assault.
Butte County District Lawyer Michael Ramsey stated Sayer was a “fan for a while” of the 1999 faculty taking pictures, and others, that left 12 college students and one trainer useless.
He “had sadly a deep dive into that social media neighborhood, and clearly misplaced his method in that and determined yesterday to behave in copycat.”
4 years in the past, Sayer “fell down an web rabbit gap” into on-line fandom communities that glorified mass shootings. It’s a really darkish nook of the web.”
Sayer recorded a video of the taking pictures, added Ramsey, that he uploaded on-line which talked about his plan to kill as many victims as attainable. He additionally left a “disturbing journal.”
The alleged killer had been staying at his dad’s residence on the time and acquired maintain of three firearms inside a bed room closet, in keeping with the DA’s workplace. The weapons included two .22 caliber rifles and a .20 gauge pump-action shotgun.
David described his son to the San Francisco Chronicle as a “shy little boy” who was “high-functioning” on the autism spectrum and “a fragile little flower.”
He added: “He’s by no means harmed anyone. I can’t say that anymore. I simply really feel horrible for the those that he shot,” David Sayer stated. “It’s arduous to assume proper now.”
The Publish has reached out to Bradley’s dad and mom for remark.
