Robert Hawkins

Mass Murderer

Robert Hawkins and the 2007 Westroads Mall Shooting

Overview

Robert Arthur Hawkins was a 19-year-old mass murderer responsible for the deadly shooting inside the Von Maur department store at Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska. On December 5, 2007, Hawkins entered the crowded store with a semiautomatic rifle and opened fire on employees and customers. He killed eight people and wounded four others before taking his own life. The attack occurred during the Christmas shopping season, when the mall was busy with customers and store employees. The shooting lasted only several minutes, but it became one of the deadliest crimes in Nebraska history. Six of the people killed were Von Maur employees, while two were customers.

Background of Robert Hawkins

Robert Arthur Hawkins was born on May 17, 1988, at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, where his American parents were stationed with the United States Air Force. He later lived in Nebraska and experienced serious behavioral and emotional problems from an early age. Hawkins spent years receiving treatment through hospitals, residential programs and state services. He was reportedly diagnosed at different times with attention-deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and an unspecified mood disorder. As a teenager, he became a ward of the State of Nebraska and lived in several treatment facilities and foster placements. He attended Fort Calhoun High School but was expelled in 2005 after allegedly attempting to sell drugs to other students. He later attended Papillion-La Vista High School before dropping out in March 2006. Hawkins eventually obtained a General Educational Development certificate. By 2007, Hawkins was living with friends and their mother in Bellevue, Nebraska, south of Omaha. He had become estranged from members of his family and was reportedly struggling with unemployment, financial problems and the recent end of a romantic relationship. He had also attempted to join the United States Army but was rejected because of his mental-health history.

Events Before the Shooting

During the weeks before the attack, Hawkins experienced several personal setbacks. He had lost his job at a McDonald's restaurant and had recently separated from his girlfriend. On November 24, 2007, he was cited on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, underage possession of alcohol and another alcohol-related offense. He was scheduled to appear in court on December 19, 2007. On the morning of December 5, Hawkins reportedly spoke with family members and acquaintances without clearly revealing what he was planning. At some point, he obtained a Century Arms WASR-10 semiautomatic rifle from his stepfather's residence. The weapon was a civilian version of an AK-pattern rifle and used 7.62×39mm ammunition. Hawkins left suicide notes for family members and friends. The writings expressed anger, hopelessness and a desire to become famous through violence. One note indicated that he intended to kill other people before killing himself. The notes were discovered shortly before the attack, but authorities were unable to locate Hawkins in time to prevent the shooting. ...

Confirmed Victims: (8)

Beverly Flynn 47 yr old Female

Westroads Mall shooting - Wikipedia