Lawrence Moore

Mass Murderer

Lawrence Moore and the Oregon Museum Tavern Mass Murder (1981)

Background

Lawrence William Moore carried out one of Oregon's deadliest mass shootings when he attacked patrons inside the Oregon Museum Tavern in Salem, Oregon, on the night of May 7, 1981. Moore, a 25-year-old unemployed mill worker from Scio, Oregon, entered the crowded tavern during a popular ladies' night event armed with a 9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol. Without warning or making any statements, he immediately began firing into the crowd. The attack lasted only a short time but resulted in multiple deaths and numerous serious injuries before several patrons managed to overpower him while he paused to reload his weapon. The shooting shocked Oregon because it appeared to have no specific motive. Witnesses described complete chaos as customers attempted to flee while Moore continued firing multiple magazines into the crowded bar. Several courageous patrons eventually rushed Moore, striking him with a pool cue and wrestling him to the floor until police officers arrived and took him into custody.

The Attack

The shooting began at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 7, 1981, inside the Oregon Museum Tavern on Front Street NE in Salem. Moore initially fired toward the bar before turning his gun on customers attempting to escape. He repeatedly reloaded his pistol and continued shooting until patrons intervened. Three victims died at the scene, while another died later that night from injuries sustained during the attack. A fifth victim survived for decades but ultimately died in 2013 from complications directly related to the gunshot wounds received during the shooting, bringing the official death toll to five people. Eighteen other victims suffered gunshot wounds or other injuries. Investigators were unable to establish a clear motive. Moore later underwent extensive psychiatric evaluations, and testimony during legal proceedings focused on significant mental health issues and neurological abnormalities.

Victims

• Sharon Ann Gardner - Killed on May 7, 1981, at the Oregon Museum Tavern in Salem, Oregon.
• William Joseph Hull - Killed on May 7, 1981, at the Oregon Museum Tavern in Salem, Oregon.
• Donald Dean Jones - Killed on May 7, 1981, at the Oregon Museum Tavern in Salem, Oregon.
• John Frederick Skoog - Died from gunshot injuries on May 8, 1981, following the shooting in Salem, Oregon.
• Dennis Scharf - Shot during the attack on May 7, 1981, and died on January 12, 2013, from long-term complications caused by his injuries, making him the fifth homicide victim.

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Confirmed Victims: (4)

John William Cooper 27 yr old Male

Oregon Museum Tavern shooting