From the Associated Press via MSNBC.com:
GLENDALE, Calif. – A man accused of killing 11 people by parking his truck in a train’s path intended to get his estranged wife’s attention by causing “a horrific tragedy,” not to kill himself as originally thought, police said.
Authorities also said Juan Manuel Alvarez told them he had poured gasoline on the SUV before the Metrolink struck it Jan. 26 as it carried commuters to downtown Los Angeles.
Police initially believed Alvarez had meant to remain in the truck but then lost his nerve and fled. He and his wife, Carmelita Alvarez, had separated, and she had obtained a restraining order against him, police said.
Police Chief Randy Adams said Alvarez may have considered suicide, but “the investigation has revealed that his actions are not consistent with that of an individual who is attempting to follow through with that act.”
“His actions were deliberate with the intent of causing a horrific tragedy,” Adams told reporters Thursday.
Suicide is usually referred to as the ultimate act of narcissism. It appears that is no longer true.
Suicidal people can at the least be pitied for coming to the end of their road, seeing no other options but to die to end their pain, and our compassion for that pain in another human can leaven the tragedy arising from their poor choice of choosing a means that would result in the injury of others.
In this case, however, there is absolutely no sympathy merited, only contempt. This shows a new ulitmate in narcissism and sadly a new depth to human nature.