Robert Hamilton Boyer, a 33-year-old mathematician from Pennsylvania, was tragically killed on August 1, 1966, in Austin, Texas. Boyer was one of the victims of Charles Whitman's infamous shooting spree from the University of Texas clock tower. Whitman, an ex-Marine and student at the University of Texas, carried out a mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to at least 33 others.
Boyer, who had been working in Mexico, was in Austin to visit friends and handle personal business on campus. He was fatally shot by Whitman while making his way to the Main Building under the tower. The single shot struck Boyer in the left lower side of his back, hitting his kidney area. Boyer was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Boyer's death was part of the larger investigation into Whitman's mass murder. Whitman had a history of mental health issues and had sought professional help prior to the shooting. On the morning of August 1, 1966, Whitman killed his mother and wife before heading to the University of Texas campus, where he climbed to the observation deck of the clock tower and began shooting at people below. The police response to the shooting led to the creation of S.W.A.T. teams in major cities across the United States.
Whitman was eventually shot and killed by police officers, bringing an end to the 90-minute siege. The investigation revealed that Whitman had been suffering from a brain tumor, which may have contributed to his violent behavior. The Austin Police Department and other investigating bodies compiled extensive reports, photographs, personal writings, and other documents related to the case. The mass murder case remains one of the most notorious incidents in American history, and Boyer's death is remembered as part of this tragic event.
