Charles Whitman

Mass Murderer

Charles Whitman: The Texas Tower Sniper

Background

Charles Joseph Whitman was a 25-year-old former U.S. Marine and architectural engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. On August 1, 1966, Whitman committed one of the first mass public shootings in modern U.S. history. Before climbing the University’s Main Building Tower, Whitman had already murdered his mother and wife earlier that morning. His attack from the Tower left 14 people dead (including an unborn child) and over 30 wounded, shocking the nation and changing law enforcement response to mass shootings.

The Crimes

On the night of July 31 and early morning of August 1, 1966, Whitman murdered his wife, Kathleen Leissner Whitman, and his mother, Margaret Whitman, in their respective homes. Later that morning, he packed rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition, food, and water into a footlocker and made his way to the University of Texas Tower. At around 11:48 a.m., he began firing from the 28th-floor observation deck, targeting people on the campus and nearby streets. The attack lasted for about 96 minutes before Whitman was shot and killed by Austin police officers Houston McCoy and Ramiro Martinez at approximately 1:24 p.m.

Victims

• July 31 – August 1, 1966 (Early Morning):
  • Margaret Whitman – Whitman’s mother, murdered in her apartment.
  • Kathleen Leissner Whitman – Whitman’s wife, stabbed to death in their home.
• August 1, 1966 – University of Texas Tower Shooting:
  • Edna Townsley – Receptionist at the Tower, killed on the 27th floor.
  • Alyene Quiram – Civilian, wounded inside the Tower (survived).
  • Marguerite Lamport – Civilian, wounded inside the Tower (survived).
  • Thomas Eckman – University student, killed on the South Mall.
  • Claudia Rutt – Student, killed while aiding Eckman.
  • Robert Boyer – Professor, killed walking toward the library.
  • Thomas Ashton – Peace Corps trainee, killed crossing the mall.
  • Karen Griffith – Student, fatally shot; died later from wounds.
  • Mark Gabour – Teenage boy visiting campus, killed instantly.
  • Mary Gabour – Mark’s aunt, killed near the South Mall.
  • Kathy Leissner Whitman – Previously murdered in home.
  • Roy Dell Schmidt – Electrician, killed on campus grounds.
  • David Gunby – Student wounded in the attack; died in 2001 from complications linked to his injuries (considered a homicide victim).
  • Baby of Claire Wilson – Unborn child killed when Wilson was shot; she survived.

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Confirmed Victims: (15)

Kathleen Kathy Whitman 23 yr old Female

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Charles Whitman - Wikipedia

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