Peyerl's status as an outsider at school, and that he had an alcoholic father at home who was frequently unemployed, have been regarded as possible influences.

[2] Neighbors said that Peyerl was a normal albeit introverted boy, but a psychiatrist who was involved in this case spoke of a loser type.

Media argued that Peyerl was possibly influenced by mass murderers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold due to the similarities to the Columbine High School massacre that occurred in the same year.

Martin commented one day leading up to 1 November 1999, that it was "completely crazy what these guys have done" and that he believed Harris' and Klebold's actions to be "something we should do".

Wolfgang Giese, head of the investigation, denied the possibility that drugs, alcohol, or extreme right-wing ideology were behind Peyerl's actions, saying those things played "no role".

[6] Investigators concluded that Martin Peyerl, like Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, did not commit murder-suicide as a spontaneous act, but likely planned his actions well in advance.

[7] A written request filed by The Greens to the Bavarian Landtag in January 2012 listed the Bad Reichenhall shooting as one of several murder cases to be reinvestigated for a potential right-wing motive.

[8] Günter Lamprecht, through his lawyer Rolf Bossi, filed a lawsuit for pain and suffering against Peyerl's parents,[9] but the case was ultimately not brought to court.