AUSTIN — 1966 · Major Tragedy
The University of Texas Tower Shooting
On 1 August 1966 a 25-year-old former Marine studying at the University of Texas, having killed his mother and wife the night before, went up to the observation deck of the Main Building tower and fired on people below for about 96 minutes. The attack ended when two police officers and a civilian reached the deck and the gunman was killed. Including his wife and mother and those who later died of their wounds, the death toll reached 17; dozens were injured. A brain tumour found at autopsy sparked debate about its effect on his behaviour. The event is seen as a turning point in U.S. debates on campus safety and the creation of police SWAT units.
- Date
- 1966
- Place
- Texas, USA, Austin, US
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 30.2860, -97.7390 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 1 August 1966 (night)The gunman kills his mother and wife.
- 1 August 1966Fires from the tower deck for about 96 minutes.
- 1 August 1966Police officers reach the deck and stop the gunman.
- August 1966Autopsy finds a brain tumour.
- 2001Death of a wounded survivor brings the toll to 17.
Sources
- TSHA Handbook of Texas — University of Texas Tower Shooting (1966) tshaonline.org ↗
- PBS Independent Lens — TOWER pbs.org ↗
- Wikipedia — University of Texas tower shooting en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Texas State Historical Association
- PBS
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.