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Brainerd teen knew Weise through Internet Red Lake gunman taught him how to make animated films
A Brainerd teenager has started www.jeffweise.com, a Web site billed as a "memorial to the victims lost at Red Lake High School," that has begun to chronicle the March 21 shootings that ended with 10 people dead, the Star Tribune reported Tuesday in a story on its Web site.
Andrew Motzko, 16, told the Star Tribune he started the site to provide an unbiased picture of the events that led to the shootings and their aftermath.
In addition to the interview with the Star Tribune, Motzko also was interviewed by two Twin Cities television stations -- KSTP Channel 5 and KMSP Channel 9. Motzko declined an interview request from the Dispatch.
Motzko told the Star Tribune he met Red Lake gunman Jeff Weise on the Internet through a mutual Internet friend last April. After hearing about the shootings on television, Motzko did some online research and realized that Weise was the Internet acquaintance who had taught him how to make animated films.
"I was just shaking," Motzko said in the Star Tribune story. "I couldn't get to sleep that night. Like everybody else, I wish it wouldn't have happened. I just hope people can see that there were certain circumstances in Jeff's life that led to this and that he needed help."
Motzko said he corresponded with Weise about six times via instant messaging and never detected any violent or unusual behavior.
In addition to pictures of the victims, funerals and the investigation, the site has numerous photos of Weise and a description of the reservation. There is a guest book, which as of Monday night had a small set of entries ranging from expressions of sympathy for victims and for Weise to admiration for others involved in school shootings.
"I wish they wouldn't leave things like that in there, but everyone has a right to what they think," Motzko said.
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