4:44pm UK, Monday January 10, 2011
Friends of US shooting suspect Jared Loughner have described him as a cannabis-smoking loner with a "twisted" sense of humour and an obsession for conspiracy theories.
Jared Loughner's behaviour had become increasingly erratic before the shootings
Loughner - who faces charges of murder and attempted assassination - had quizzed victim Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a political event three years ago and told a friend she was "stupid", it has emerged.
His behaviour in the run-up to the murders became increasingly bizarre, according to fellow classmates.
One told how during an advanced poetry writing class he grabbed his crotch and galloped around the room - reading a bland poem about going to the gym.
A police officer stands outside Loughner's Tucson home
Student Don Coorough said on another occasion he fell about the room laughing after a girl student read a very personal poem on abortion.
"He was turning all shades of red and laughing and said: 'Wow, she's just like a terrorist, she killed a baby'," Mr Coorough said.
Fellow students at Pima Community College said that Loughner was "twisted" and made girls uncomfortable in class, sometimes turning up drunk.
Once, during lunch break, he downed so much tequila that he came back to class and within five minutes passed out cold.
Democrat Emanuel CleaverWe are in a dark place in this country right now and the atmospheric condition is toxic.
Loughner - described as very academic - came into contact with authorities five times between February and September 2010 because of his disruptive behaviour at college.
He was eventually suspended in September after college police discovered a YouTube video in which Loughner claimed the college was constitutionally "illegal".
He withdrew voluntarily the following month, and was told he could return only if, among other things, a mental health professional agreed he did not present a danger.
Loughner played in a jazz band and also attended poetry classes
In the weeks leading up to the shootings, Loughner had complained about life being monotonous and that he wanted more "chaos".
Friends have claimed Loughner developed an intense dislike for government officials and had nurtured a series of conspiracy theories.
They also say he was convinced that the 9/11 attack was orchestrated by the US government, believed the mission to Mars was fake and described humans as "sheep".
At an event around three years ago, Mrs Giffords took a question from Loughner at a political event.
According to two of his high school friends the question was essentially this: "What is government if words have no meaning?"
Deadly Shooting Spree 
Apparently Loughner was angry at her response - she read the question and didn't have much to say.
It has also been claimed that Loughner thought the US government was creating a unified monetary system - a "New World Order currency" - so that social elites could control the rest of the world.
On his YouTube page, he lists among his favorite books Animal Farm and Brave New World, two novels about how authorities control the masses.
Loughner's image as a social outcast with nihilistic beliefs is supported by a series of bizarre internet rants.
In one - a video post on December 15 - he said: "If you call me a terrorist then the argument to call me a terrorist is Ad hominem."
He described himself as a US military recruit - but the Army have released a statement saying he tried to enlist but was rejected.
Another post on his Myspace page read: "Love hunting trolls and children - I want to be a woman one day."
An ominous posting on Facebook shortly before the shooting warned: "Most people just don't seem to understand me, but I'm going to prove to you all how wrong you are."
Loughner had questioned Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the past
Other evidence seized from his home included an envelope from a safe with messages such as "I planned ahead", "My assassination" and the name "Giffords".
Loughner lived with his parents about a five-minute drive from the shootings, in a middle-class neighbourhood lined with palm trees.
According to neighbours, Loughner kept to himself and was often seen walking his dog, almost always wearing a hooded sweat shirt and listening to his iPod.
A court sheet shows some of the charges against Loughner
His high school friends have said they fell out of touch with Loughner and last spoke to him around March. However, they say his alienation was gradual.
The Loughner they met when he was a freshman may have been socially awkward, but he was generally happy and fun to be around.
His "crew" smoked marijuana every day - and when they were not going to concerts or watching films they talked about the meaning of life.
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