The nu metal band Linkin Park, of whom Williams was a fan, were seen as influencing Williams' actions. Following the shooting, the band released a statement saying, "Like everyone else, we are extremely saddened by these events and our hearts go out to the families and friends to the victims." Williams had written a note to his father prior to the shooting: "I tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end it doesn't really matter." The line was an excerpt from the band's 2001 song "In the End."