The wife of the man charged with killing 8 yesterday worked at the North Carolina nursing home he chose for his murderous rampage, the New York Times reports. Local police said gunman Robert Stewart was likely separated from Wanda Luck, but declined to say if she was in the building at the time of the shooting, or if she was part of a motive. Stewart had recently told family he had been diagnosed with cancer, and was preparing to “go away,” said ex-wife Sue Griffin.
After killing 7 patients and a nurse, Stewart was apprehended and shot by the lone Carthage police officer on duty. Justin Garner took 3 shotgun pellets to the leg before shooting Stewart and incapacitating him. Stewart is charged with 8 counts of first-degree murder and one of felony assault on a police officer. “He did have some violent tendencies,” said Griffini. “I wouldn’t put it past him. I hate to say it, but it is true.” (More North Carolina stories.)