On September 25, 1982, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Sharon A. Mazzillo, a 24-year-old female, became a victim in a tragic and violent series of events. A former romantic partner, George Emil Banks, forced his way into her mobile home in the Heather Highlands park. Inside, he shot and killed Sharon. The violence did not end with her death.
Banks, a former prison guard, had engaged in a shooting spree that claimed multiple lives that day.
In the home with Sharon were her mother, Alice Mazzillo, her seven-year-old nephew, Scott Olver Mazzillo, and her own five-year-old son with Banks, Kissamayu. After killing Sharon, Banks proceeded to shoot and kill his sleeping son, Sharon's mother who was attempting to call the police, and her young nephew. Two of Sharon's brothers managed to survive the horrific attack by hiding in a closet.
The catalyst for Banks's rampage, which resulted in the deaths of thirteen people, including five of his own children, was a custody dispute with Sharon over their son. Before arriving at Sharon's home, Banks had already murdered several other individuals, including three other women and four children at his own residence. He also shot two men he encountered on the street, one of whom died from his injuries.
Following the massacre at the Mazzillo residence, Banks fled but was later convinced to surrender after a lengthy standoff with police. He was charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and other offenses. During his trial in June 1983, his defense argued that he was insane. However, the jury found him guilty of twelve counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder, among other charges. George Emil Banks was subsequently sentenced to death. After years of appeals, his sentence was stayed in 2004 due to incompetency for execution, and he ultimately died in prison.
