Reed Wischhusen recreates suicide attempt in court

Jurors have previously been shown a picture of Reed Wischhusen in a police-style uniform

A man accused of firearms offences told a jury he wanted to "end it all" as he recreated a suicide attempt in court.

Reed Wischhusen, 32, from Wick St Lawrence, Somerset, told a jury that he lost consciousness when he shot himself in the head.

He said he was angry about being refused a shotgun certificate at 18, and started to build a sub-machine gun to "make a point."

He denied making a bomb at home or anywhere else.

Mr Wischhusen was arrested after a police search of his home found firearms.

During the search he ran at officers with a gun and was shot three times.

Earlier, the trial at Bristol Crown Court heard from Dr Ronald Lyle, who said Mr Wischhusen was autistic and clinically depressed.

"He has twice tried to kill himself, has problems with social interaction and finds it hard to show emotion and to maintain relationships," Dr Lyle said.

A police search at Mr Wischhusen's house found an "armoury" of home-made weapons

In court today, Mr Wischhusen was asked about his interest in guns, and comments he made in a journal from his time at college.

In the journal, he wrote about being a member of the National Rifle Association and committing a mass shooting in the UK.

Mr Wischhusen replied: "It's just fantasy to be honest, nothing serious."

'Avid collector'

"I'm an avid collector [of guns], and I read about them online," he said.

"I did shooting in America and Poland on paper targets.

"The only time I shot one of my guns was in the bathroom when I shot myself," he said.

He was also asked about chemicals that were found at his address, which he said he acquired between 2011 and 2020.

"It was never my intention to make explosives or a bomb at home," he said.

Mr Wischhusen denies charges of having an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, having an explosive substance, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate.

His trial continues.

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