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Ruth Barnette Sturgeon

Case from South-pasadena, CA dated May 06, 1940

Victim Details

Ruth Barnette Sturgeon

Female

White / Caucasian

South-pasadena

CA

1940-05-06

56

Ruth

Barnette Sturgeon

07/11/2026

Case Description

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Ruth Barnette Sturgeon, a 56-year-old art teacher at South Pasadena Junior High School, tragically lost her life on May 6, 1940, during a horrific shooting spree orchestrated by the school's principal, Verlin Spencer. The incident unfolded when Spencer, who had been recently dismissed from his position, arrived at the school armed with a pistol. He requested a meeting with several school administrators, including the superintendent, high school principal, and the school district's business manag ...
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Links to Additional Sources (8)

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  • New York Daily News: JUSTICE STORY: Paranoid principal goes on deadly shooting spree
  • Newspapers.com: Verlin Spencer school shooting
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I was reading through old articles about the South Pasadena school shooting and couldn't get over ho... ...Read More
    10/11/2024
    I've been reading more about the tragic incident at South Pasadena Junior High, and my heart goes ou... ...Read More
    03/20/2024
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