Zug: A community in mourning

The town of Zug is in a state of grief

ZUG, Switzerland -- The small Swiss town of Zug is reeling from the aftermath of a five-minute rampage by a lone gunman which left 14 politicians dead and 10 others wounded. CNN's Bettina Luscher is in Zug.

Q: What is the atmosphere like Zug?

A: People here are just numb with shock that something like this could have happened. Switzerland does not have much violent crime anyway, but for this to happen here is a real shock. This is a small town in a beautiful setting, with a lake and mountains -- it is not the scene you would expect for what has happened. You can really feel how shaken people are. Some are in tears but mostly people are just stunned. This is a close-knit community with a very old democracy -- its politicians are part of the community and many have been known for decades. The authorities have set up psychological services for relatives, friends and emergency workers, but say the real impact is unlikely to hit for several days.

Q: What is known about the attacker, Friedrich Leibacher?

A: He was a 57-year-old who had been married and has one daughter. He had been on disability since 2000. Police say he had a criminal record relating to sexual abuse of children in 1975 and that in 1996 and 1998 he applied and was granted permits for three weapons. Officials have said they knew of him and had many dealings with him, but had not considered him dangerous.

Q: What is known about the motive for the attack?

A: The attack, which police say was carefully planned, appears to have been the result of grudge Leibacher was carrying against local officials as a result of an incident in 1998 when he argued with a bus driver. He tried to bring a series of legal actions until a local magistrate court recently approved a decision that he could not bring a law suit. Police said on Thursday he entered the parliament chamber dressed as a policeman. He was armed and shouted for government minister Robert Bisig, who was not in the chamber, before opening fire. Leibacher left a confession letter with the heading "Day of Anger for the Zug Mafia."

Q: What has been the response to the incident?

A: Other than widespread shock, the main response is that new security measures have been immediately brought in for government and parliament buildings. There are now security checks, all of which is very different from before -- Switzerland has a very open form of government and people here were always free to march into the parliament hall and talk to their leaders.

Q: What is planned over the coming days?

A: A memorial service was held in Zug on Thursday night and another is planned for Monday. No officials business will be carried out next week and so far there has been no talk of elections to replace those officials who were among the victims, although it is believed some senior lawmakers have been approached to stand in temporarily for those members of the regional government who have been lost. The bodies of the dead have been sent to Zurich for an examination, and are to be released to their families on Saturday after which funerals can be held.