Man Who Held Hostages Sought Broadcast Of Views Gunman Tells Police He Carefully Picked Office Tower, Planned To Kill People

The gunman who stormed a downtown office tower has told police he planned to kill people, take others hostage and broadcast a diatribe against the government, media, banks and the insurance industry.

James Rincker, 24, told police of his deadly plans in interviews Thursday and Friday, The Oregonian reported Saturday.

Rincker, wearing military-style fatigues and a black beret, entered the building with an arsenal that included two assault rifles, a 12-gauge shotgun, a pistol, at least six knives and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

He wounded two people in the building’s parking garage, then took four people hostage in a brokerage office off the 30-story building’s lobby.

The siege lasted 4-1/2 hours before Rincker surrendered.

Police detectives said Rincker told them he had considered three sites for his assault - the KOIN Center, U.S. Bancorp Tower and Rose Garden arena.

“A fair amount of planning and thought went into this,” said police detective Kent Perry, who questioned Rincker for three hours. “This wasn’t some spontaneous act.”

Rincker’s mother told The Associated Press Friday night that she believes her son “had a death wish.”

“I really believe he was hoping the police would shoot him,” Bonnie Gregory said by telephone from her home in Kansas City, Mo.