On August 28, 2017, a tragic event unfolded at the Clovis-Carver Library in Clovis, New Mexico, resulting in the death of Wanda Beth Walters, a 61-year-old circulation assistant at the library. Wanda, born on February 6, 1956, in Merkel, Texas, was a beloved member of the community, known for her love of people and her active involvement in local activities.
She was a member of the Bethel Assembly of God Church and served on the worship team, enjoying activities such as reading, listening to music, playing the piano, and collecting lighthouses.
The incident began at approximately 4:15 PM MST when Nathaniel Jouett, a 16-year-old student at nearby Clovis High School, entered the library. Jouett had previously recorded videos at his home announcing his planned massacre, apologizing for his actions and citing factors such as bullying, mental illness, and suicidal thoughts as his motivations. Upon entering the library, Jouett went into the restroom where he uploaded a photo of his camera bag containing his father's guns and ammunition to his social media, with a caption that read 'It begins'.
Jouett then began shooting inside the library, firing randomly as patrons, including parents with children, attempted to hide. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with Jouett shouting 'Run Why aren't you running? I'm shooting at you Run!' before he started moving around the room, shooting at people. Another witness noted that Jouett appeared happy and was laughing and smiling until he approached them, at which point he adopted a menacing expression.
Wanda Walters and Kristina “Krissie” Carter, the 48-year-old youth services librarian, were fatally shot during the rampage. Four others were injured: Howard Jones, 53, Jessica Thron, 30, Alexis Molina, 20, and Noah Molina, 10. The police received multiple emergency calls, and about 15 minutes after the first call, Jouett's father, Chris Jouett, informed the police that his son had taken guns from the safe at their home and left. When police arrived, Jouett surrendered immediately without any struggle.
Nathaniel Jouett was taken into custody and later admitted to the police that he was the shooter. He explained that he had been planning the attack for some time and had initially intended to target his school before killing himself. During his arrest, Jouett expressed remorse, saying, 'I feel awful. I don't like hurting people,' when he saw one of the victims lying on the ground.
The legal proceedings against Jouett were significant. He made his first court appearance on August 31, 2017, and was subsequently indicted on September 8, 2017, for two counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of child abuse, four counts of aggravated battery, and twenty counts of assault with intent to commit a violent felony. Despite a defense request to transfer him to a juvenile treatment facility, the court ordered Jouett to undergo a mental evaluation and assessment. On October 17, 2018, Jouett pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced on February 15, 2019, to two life sentences with the possibility of parole, plus an additional 40 years in prison. Jouett is currently incarcerated at the Lea County Correctional Center.
The impact of the tragedy on the community and the families of the victims was profound. Wanda Walters and Kristina Carter were remembered for their dedication to their work and their community. Wanda's family, including her son Rick, daughter Mandie, and her grandchildren, were deeply affected by her loss. Similarly, Kristina's family, including her husband Kelly and their children, mourned the loss of a loving mother and wife. The incident highlighted the complexities of mental health issues and the devastating consequences of unchecked violence.
