Recovering from the Webster tragedy

WEBSTER, N.Y. (WIVB) - As flames ravaged seven Webster homes, and gunfire tore into what should have been a calm Christmas Eve morning, an off duty police officer happened to be driving to work.

John Ritter, the N. Y. Police Officer that was driving to work that morning says, "I'm in a situation where someone's actively engaging me, so at that point, one of my first things was to: A-take cover,  B-try to get out of the kill zone, and C-try to keep people from going in there."

Officer Ritter's car was hit and he sustained wounds to his arm.  His thoughts however, are for the two dead and two wounded firefighters who were lured into a trap by gunman, William Spengler. 

There is practically nothing left of the seven homes destroyed by William Spengler, who had set his own house and a car on fire and then ambushed arriving firefighters.  He later shot himself in the head.

Bob Schroeder owned one of the houses lost in the fire.

Schroeder saw his house for the first time after the incident and it was just too much for him to fathom. 

The 62 year old shooter, who had served 17 years in prison for killing his grandmother with a hammer,
intended to burn down much of his neighborhood and, as he said in a note left behind: "Do what I like doing best, killing people."

"I mean he was a little strange, but I never expected something of this magnitude to ever happen here," said Schroeder.

Spengler was armed with three weapons, including a Bushmaster rifle, similar to the one used in the Newtown, Connecticut shooting.

As part of his rampage, he targeted his own 67 year old sister, Cheryl.  Authorities believe her remains were found in the ruins of the house she shared with her brother.

The Webster Police Department is interviewing a lot of people including anyone that knew the victims, neighbors, and more.

43 year old firefighter Michael "Chip" Chiapperini, a husband and father of three will be laid to rest on Sunday.

The funeral for 19 year old firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka' described as  everyone's "little brother," is Monday.

The two firefighters were said to be close friends with Chip who was always serving as brother.

The two firefighters recovering from their wounds, Joseph Hofstetter and Theodore Scardino have issued their first public comments. They say they are "humbled and overwhelmed" by the outpouring of support.