Oct 4, 2005 9:13 am US/Mountain
Father: Son Lost His Way
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) ―
The father of a college student from Colorado who took his own life at the University of Oklahoma Saturday said his son was a very intelligent young man who lost his way.
Joel Hinrichs III, 21, blew himself-up outside the OU football stadium with a bomb.
"He did make things that blew up, and that fascinated him," said Joe Hinricks, Joel's father Monday.
Joe Hinrichs said his son was no terrorist. He said his son had been interested in high-tech gear and artillery since he was a child.
Joe Hinrichs regrets he didn't see how far gone his son was before it was too take. He never thought his son would use his skills to take his own life.
"No parent should have to go through and review the life of a child that won't be here anymore," Joe Hinrichs said.
Hinrichs is shocked and saddened that his son took his life in such a public way.
"The problem that Joe had was that he ran out of optimism. And his optimism faded away by such small amounts that we never saw it go," Joe Hinricks said.
The father said the FBI searched his son's apartment in Norman, Okla, as well as his home in Colorado Springs. His son did not leave a suicide note.
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