IG Chris Harper-Mercer, who was born in England, carried out the horror massacre

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In disturbing images posted online, Harper-Mercer, who was born in England and moved to the States at a young age, posed with guns and shared pro-IRA newspaper front pages, an Express.co.uk investigation has found. He also posted a three-minute video on the social networking site MySpace featuring IRA fighters branding guns and wearing balaclavas. On his dating profile on the website Spiritual Passions, he wrote that he "doesn't like organised religion".

His username on the dating site was ironcross45 – a possible reference to the Iron Cross, a German military symbol reintroduced by the Nazis. A user with the same name spent almost £100 on a Nazi SS officers' cap on a different website more than two years ago.

IG Chris Harper-Mercer appeared to buy Nazi memorabilia online

In a review posted online, the user wrote: "I have received my order. The customer service is the very best, they are fast and very great to work with. "I highly recommend this company they are a great pleasure to work with. there attention to detail is awesome. "i will continue to make purchases from this company. i am very impressed with there products/service and highly recommend them. thanks Steve"

IG Harper-Mercer on the day of his brother's wedding

IG Harper-Mercer listed himself as spiritual but non-religious

It is not known whether Harper-Mercer attended Umpqua Community College in Oregon, where the shooting took place. But he was listed as a "production assistant" in a Facebook post promoting a performance of a Noel Coward play by the school's drama group. He was armed with three handguns and an AR-15-style long gun, and was killed after a shootout with police on the scene yesterday, according to reports.

IG He worked on a Noel Coward play by the school's drama group

In his dating profile he described himself as "Not Religious, Not Religious, but Spiritual". He described himself as a "lover, conservative, professional, intellectual, introvert" – and under his interests listed the "internet, killing zombies, movies, music, reading". Harper Mercer also said he was "mixed race", did not drink and was a "conservative, Republican". WATCH: THE IRA VIDEO POSTED ON HARPER-MERCER'S MYSPACE PAGE

IG He shared this newspaper front page on MySpace

He also appeared to write a blog post hosted on a torrent site about Vester Flanagan, who shot two journalists live on air in late August. He reportedly wrote: "I have noticed that so many people like him are all alone and unknown, yet when they spill a little blood, the whole world knows who they are. "A man who was known by no one, is now known by everyone. His face splashed across every screen, his name across the lips of every person on the planet, all in the course of one day. "Seems the more people you kill, the more your're [sic] in the limelight."

IG Harper-Mercer's online dating profile

The most recent torrent uploaded by the account username was a BBC documentary about the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting, according to Gawker. Hours before the attack, an anonymous poster on the message board 4Chan, warned: "Some of you guys are alright. Don't go to school tomorrow if you are in the northwest." Oregon is a state in the Pacific northwest of the United States. Another post read: "Happening thread will be posted tomorrow morning. So long space robots. Will post again am. 10 min countdown. Won't say more to much to prepare." Harper-Mercer's devastated family have reacted to the news, saying they are "shocked". Close to tears, his father said: "I am just as shocked as everybody about what happened today. "i can't answer any questions right now and I don't want to answer any questions right now. Obviosuly it's devastating for me and my family." His step-sister said: "I am still in shock. All he ever did was put everyone before himself. "He wanted everyone to be happy, no matter if he was sad or mad he would always try to cheer up everybody." Clearly distressed and with her head in her hands, she added: "It doesn't sound like something he would go through."