Man Opens Fire At Collier Township Gym, Killing 3 Women

Three women were killed and five others were injured when a man opened fire during an aerobics class at the LA Fitness Center in Collier Township on Tuesday.

SLIDESHOW: Photos Of Suspect, Victim, Scene BLOG: Read The Text Of The Suspect's Blog

The gunman, identified as George Sodini, 48, of Scott Township, shot and killed Elizabeth Gannon, 49; Heidi Overmier, 46; and Jody Billingsley, 37, before turning the gun on himself, police said.

Victims Mary Primis, 26, and Heather Sherba, 22, are at Allegheny General Hospital listed in fair condition. Two other victims are at UPMC Mercy Hospital. One is listed in fair condition, and the other is listed serious condition.

Others injured in the shooting were identified as Lisa Fleeher, 27; Ashley Ferragonio, 23; Jackquilyne Gallagher, 25; Srimeenakish Sankar, 31; Gretchen Lewis, 26; Melina Williams, 22; and Stephanie Latusick, 33.

VIDEO: Gym Shooting Victim Heather Sherba Speaks To WPXI

George Sodini New Picture George Sodini George Sodini

Two of the women who were killed were pronounced dead at the scene. The third died on the way to a hospital, police said.

Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said Sodini did not have a direct target in the shooting -- firing "multiple" weapons "indiscriminately." Moffatt said Sodini did not say anything before unleashing a "burst of bullets."

"He did not say anything. He walked right into the room where the shootings occurred as if he knew exactly where he was going," Moffatt said.

Channel 11 News was able to find what is believed to be Sodini's blog on the Internet, where he detailed his plans for Tuesday. Below is a transcript from one of the entries.

Aug. 3:

"I took off today, Monday, and tomorrow to practice my routine and make sure it is well polished. I need to work out every detail, there is only one shot. Also I need to be completely immersed into something before I can be successful."

The blog goes on to say the following:

"Tomorrow is the big day … Last time I tried this, in January, I chickened out. Lets see how this new approach works .. Also, any of the "Practice Papers" left on my coffee table I used or the notes in my gym bag can be published freely. I will not be embarased, because, well, I will be dead. Some people like to study that stuff. Maybe all this will shed insight on why some people just cannot make things happen in their life, which can potentially benefit others."

A blog dated for Jan. 6 reads:

"I can do this. … It is 6:40pm, about hour and a half to go. God have mercy. I wish life could be better for all and the crazy world can somehow run smoother. I wish I had answers. Bye.

It is 8:45PM: I chickened out! (Expletive) I brought the loaded guns, everything. Hell!"

The violence rocked Collier, a bedroom community of about 5,300 residents near Interstate 79.

Moffatt said Sodini was a member of the health club and had identification. He reportedly visited the club three times on the day of the shooting to complete "practice runs."

VIDEO: Police Confirm Gunman Was Member Of LA Fitness

Moffatt said police recovered four guns from Sodini's body and found a note inside his duffel bag. Police said he used three of the guns -- two 9 mm handguns with extended clips to shoot the victims, and a .45-caliber handgun to take his own life. Moffatt said Sodini fired at least 36 shots.

"I don't think anyone could have stopped him," Moffatt said. "He just had a lot of hatred in him and was hell-bent on committing this act."

The note contained "ramblings" similar to Sodini's Internet blog, Moffatt said, in which he complained about never being intimate with a woman.

Moffatt said police are investigating a cell phone call Sodini made just prior to the shootings.

Joann Gazzam, who was taking part in the weekly "Latin Impact" dance aerobics class, saw the gunman walk to the back of the room near some weights, set down a bag and fumble with it for a few minutes before coming up with what appeared to be two guns and opening fire, according to her sister, Debi Wozniak, of suburban Dormont.

VIDEO: Gym Members Emotional After Shooting VIDEO: Woman In Latin Impact Class When Shooting Happened VIDEO: Woman Says Family Members Were Inside Gym During Shooting

Gazzam told Wozniak that the instructor was among those who appeared to have been shot, and that the gunman had killed himself.

"She told me, 'Debi, I seen everything. Oh, my God. I seen everything. I seen him pull out the guns,"' said Wozniak, who usually attends the class but was running late Tuesday and didn't make it.

VIDEO: Witness Who Carried Gym Shooting Victim Out Describes Scene

The fitness center, which opened last year, is in a strip mall called the Great Southern Shopping Center, where a few businesses were destroyed in a 2006 fire.

LA Fitness issued this statement Tuesday:

"Each of us in the LA Fitness family are shocked and saddened by the senseless acts of violence that took place at (our facility) in Pittsburgh this evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends. We are cooperating fully with the Pittsburgh police in their investigation."

If you have a story about the shooting you would like to share, e-mail us at assignments@wpxi.com or call us -- (412) 237-1100.