Steven Kazmierczak: The 2008 Northern Illinois University Mass Shooting
Overview of the Attack
On February 14, 2008, Steven Kazmierczak carried out a deadly mass shooting at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Illinois. The attack took place in Cole Hall, a lecture hall where dozens of students were attending an introductory geology class. Kazmierczak entered the classroom armed with multiple weapons and opened fire on the students. Within a matter of minutes, he had killed five students and wounded 17 others before turning the gun on himself.
Details of the Shooting
Kazmierczak, a former graduate student at NIU, had a history of mental health struggles but was regarded by many peers and professors as intelligent and accomplished. On that tragic Valentine’s Day, he concealed three handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case and under his clothing. At approximately 3:05 p.m., he stepped onto the stage of Cole Hall and began firing into the crowd of nearly 120 students. Panic ensued as students scrambled for cover or attempted to escape.
Victims
The shooting left five students dead and many others injured. The victims were young students with promising futures, their lives cut short in a senseless act of violence:
- Gayle Dubowski, 20 – a sophomore studying anthropology, killed inside Cole Hall.
- Catalina Garcia, 20 – a junior preparing for a career in health care, fatally shot during the attack.
- Julianna Gehant, 32 – an Army veteran and graduate student pursuing a career in education, killed in the classroom.
- Ryanne Mace, 19 – a freshman psychology major, lost her life in the shooting.
- Daniel Parmenter, 20 – a sophomore finance major, died while trying to help others during the chaos.
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