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Melanie Spalla

Case from State-college, PA dated Sep 17, 1996

Victim Details

Melanie Spalla

Female

White / Caucasian

State-college

PA

1996-09-17

19

Melanie

Spalla

06/27/2026

Case Description

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Melanie Spalla, a 21-year-old female student from Altoona, Pennsylvania, tragically lost her life on September 17, 1996, during a sniper attack on the campus of Penn State University in State College, PA. The incident occurred early in the morning when Jillian Robbins, a 19-year-old woman from nearby Troftrees, PA, went on a shooting spree. Robbins, who was not a student at Penn State, fired five shots with a high-powered 7-mm Mauser hunting rifle from a concealed position near the Hetzel Union ...
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Links to Additional Sources (6)

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  • Penn State Shooting Is Fatal to Student; Woman Is Arressted (Published 1996)
  • Twenty years after fatal HUB shooting: How police have changed ...
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I came across this case recently and couldn't help but think about the incredible bravery of Brandon... ...Read More
    11/10/2024
    Has anyone else read about how quickly Brandon Malovrh reacted during the shooting? It's incredible ... ...Read More
    09/09/2023
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