Article outlines torment of NIU killer

CHICAGO, July 10 (UPI) -- Steven Kazmierczak, the Northern Illinois killer, struggled with mental illnesses and tried suicide at least four times, a new magazine article says.

He also was said to be fascinated by the shooters of students at Virginia Tech and Columbine High School, the Esquire magazine article says.

But, nothing in the article explains why Kazmierczak stormed into a Northern Illinois University lecture hall on

Valentine's Day, killing five students and wounding more than 15 before killing himself, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Kazmierczak, who was treated for bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorders, had suffered psychotic episodes, reported hearing voices and hallucinations, the article says.

Esquire said after sitting in his car, listening to Marilyn Manson's "The Last Day On Earth," he entered the school and stood on the stage emotionless as he opened fire.

He was dressed in a black T-shirt with an image of a red AK-47 assault rifle and the word "Terrorist" on it. Kazmierczak had joked with friends about wearing the shirt to an airport.