BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- We're learning more about the man who caused the pain that's rippling through this upstate New York community: Vietnamese immigrant Jiverly Wong, 41.

Wong lived at a house on Taylor Street in the Town of Union with his father, mother and sister. He took English classes at the American Civic Association (ACA) until, for reasons still unknown, he turned his fury on the people who once tried to help him.

"I believe he's a coward through his innocent victims, he's affected so many lives and families, people won't get over this," said Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski.

Police are now trying to sketch a psychological profile of the man who took 14 lives, including his own. But getting inside this mind may not be easy.

"None of us think like these people, no matter what reasons he thought he had, other people lose their jobs and don't do this," said Zikuski.

Mark Monell lived next door to Wong for six years in this quiet neighborhood. He, like many others, was shocked when police arrived around 11:30 a.m. on the day of the shooting.

"Something you just didn't expect, it hit you so close to home. It kind of scares ya," said Monell.

Wong's neighbor across the street, Clarence Lewis, was amazed that the man he casually waved hello to, would do something so sinister.

"Surprise is an understatement. Completely utterly shocked. It's like getting slapped in the back of the head and you don't know who hit you," said Lewis.

Neighbors clearly still trying to make sense of this senseless tragedy and still trying to figure out how such a quiet man could commit such a terrible act. And many just thankful that their families weren't caught in the crossfire.

"It's sad to say, but yeah, I'm glad it didn't happen here," said Monell, as he packed to leave town with family.

Wong was known by police. In the 90s, there were suspicions of his involvement in a possible bank robbery plot. Police say he also allegedly had a drug problem and family members they interviewed, weren't shocked that he did this.

Wong recently lost his job at the ShopVac plant in Endicott. Police say he was fired. They also say he was the subject of slights about his difficulty speaking English.

Until early March, he was taking English classes in the same room where he decided to end 13 innocent lives.

Police say Wong had valid permits for the two pistols he used in the attack. The permits were issued in 1996, but it's unclear how was able to obtain the permits given his previous run-ins with the law.