Reed Wischhusen, a 32-year-old Lidl worker with a disturbing fascination for mass shootings and notorious criminals, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years. The Bristol Crown Court heard that Wischhusen, who had meticulously planned attacks on various targets, including a school and the Avon and Somerset Constabulary headquarters in Portishead, had created his own arsenal of weapons and explosives at his home in Wick St. Lawrence, Somerset.

Dressed as a policeman, Wischhusen attempted to carry out his sinister plans at the police headquarters, where he tried to shoot officers at point-blank range. When authorities visited his home to investigate his online purchases of blank ammunition, they were met with a scene described as a “real house of horrors.” The court revealed that Wischhusen, in a state of chaos, initially tried to take his own life and then turned the weapon on the police, resulting in him being shot and injured in self-defence.

Wischhusen faced charges including possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life, and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate. He had earlier admitted to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm, and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate.

The court also learned that Wischhusen had written a detailed document titled “Revenge,” outlining his plans for three separate attacks, totaling 1,700 words. During sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Martin Picton emphasised the danger Wischhusen posed to society and clarified that the minimum sentence of 12 years did not guarantee release but rather marked the point at which the parole board could consider it.

In response to the defence argument that a life sentence wasn’t necessary, Adam Vaitalingham KC contended that Wischhusen’s actions were more in the realm of contemplation than actual execution. Vaitaligham argued, “He had given up some of his weapons in a police amnesty, and when the police came to his house, he shot himself in the head, and when that didn’t work, he tried to get himself killed by the police instead.”

Despite the defence’s stance, the judge paid tribute to the officers involved, acknowledging their selfless bravery during the traumatic event. Detective Chief Inspector Simon Dewfall, speaking after Wischhusen’s conviction, highlighted the terrifying nature of the plans, emphasising the catastrophic consequences that could have unfolded if he hadn’t been apprehended in time.