Smith 's identity and background was originally protected under Canada 's Young Offenders Act at the time of his arrest . He had dropped out of W.R. Myers High School earlier in the school year . According to court documents , he had suffered severe bullying throughout his school years , including having been doused with lighter fluid and threatened to be set alight when he was in the first grade . He was remembered as being intelligent but socially awkward , and had become " reclusive and extremely fearful " by early adolescence . His mother said he had been showing signs of depression throughout his childhood . Smith 's family stated that he " snapped " after watching coverage of the Columbine High School massacre , which had occurred eight days prior
Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
W. R. Myers High School shooting