Susan Mary Yuhas, a 23-year-old woman from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, tragically lost her life on September 25, 1982. She was one of the victims in a horrific mass shooting carried out by George Banks, a former prison guard. Banks went on a killing spree that day, claiming the lives of 13 people, including Susan Mary Yuhas and her two young children, Bowendy Banks, 4, and Maritanya Banks, 1.
The massacre began early in the morning at the Heather Highlands Mobile Home Park in Jenkins
Township, where Banks killed four people, including his estranged girlfriend, Sharon Mazzillo, and their son. He then drove to his home in Wilkes-Barre, where he continued his rampage, ultimately ending the lives of Susan Mary Yuhas and her children.
George Banks was arrested after a three-hour standoff with police and was later charged with first-degree murder. The motive behind the killings was not immediately clear, but it was reported that Banks had been threatening to kill one of his girlfriends for months and was involved in a custody battle over their child. Banks was convicted and sentenced for his crimes, and he remains incarcerated to this day.
The tragic events of that day left a lasting impact on the community and the families of the victims. Susan Mary Yuhas, a young mother, and her children were among those whose lives were cut short in this senseless act of violence.
