Classmate wrote about 'disturbed student'

TUCSON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A woman who was in an algebra class with the man charged in the killing of six people in Tucson wrote to friends saying he was "mentally unstable."

Lynda Sorenson, 52, sent e-mails to friends about her classes at a community college in Tucson -- the same one attended by suspected shooter Jared Lee Loughner, 22, The Washington Post reported.

In an e-mail dated June 14, Sorenson wrote: "We have a mentally unstable person in the class that scares the living crap out of me. He is one of those whose picture you see on the news after he has come into class with an automatic weapon. Everyone interviewed would say, 'Yeah, he was in my math class and he was really weird.' I sit by the door with my purse handy. If you see it on the news one night, know that I got out fast."

Loughner is accused of opening fire at a political meeting hosted by Rep.. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. Six people were killed and Giffords and many others wounded. The congresswoman was reported in critical condition.

Sorenson said the algebra teacher tried to eject Loughner from the classroom on the first day of class but he refused to leave.

In an e-mail dated June 10, Sorenson wrote: "Class isn't dull as we have a seriously disturbed student in the class and they are trying to figure out how to get rid of him before he does something bad. but on the other hand until he does something bad you can't do anything about him. Needless to say, I sit by the door."