Joseph Wesbecker

Mass Murderer

Joseph Thomas Wesbecker – Standard Gravure Mass Murder (1989)

Background

Joseph Thomas Wesbecker (born April 27, 1942 – died by suicide on September 14, 1989) was a 47-year-old pressman in Louisville, Kentucky. He had a troubled life: his father died in an accident when he was an infant and he was raised by a very young mother and relatives, even spending time in an orphanage. He dropped out of high school in ninth grade but later earned his GED. Wesbecker was employed at Standard Gravure from 1971 onward. He became increasingly isolated, suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts; he had multiple psychiatric hospitalizations and attempted suicide many times. In 1989 he was diagnosed with depression and began taking the antidepressant Prozac. He went on long-term disability starting in spring 1989. Shortly before the shooting, he received notice that his disability payments would be canceled.

Shooting Details

On the morning of September 14, 1989, at approximately 8:38 a.m., Wesbecker entered the Standard Gravure printing plant in Louisville, armed with a Polytech AK-47S rifle, a SIG Sauer P226 9 mm pistol, and a duffel bag containing two MAC-11 submachine guns, a Smith & Wesson Model 12 Airweight .38 revolver, a bayonet, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He rode the elevator to the third floor executive reception area and immediately opened fire: - He killed receptionist **Sharon L. L. Needy**, and paralyzed **Angela Bowman** with a shot to the back. - He then shot and killed **James G. Husband**, and wounded **Forrest Conrad**, **Paula Warman**, and **John Stein** (head and abdomen). Wesbecker proceeded to the pressroom: - He killed **Paul Sallee**, and wounded two Marine Electric electricians, **Stanley Hatfield** and **David Sadenfaden**. **(He left his duffel bag under the stairwell.)** He entered the basement: - There he encountered pressman **John Tingle**, saying, “Hi John… I told them I’d be back. Get away from me.” Tingle avoided him. Then Wesbecker shot **Richard O. Barger** in the back, killing him. Witnesses report Wesbecker approached Barger’s body to apologize—mistaking him for someone else. Returning to the pressroom floor: - He shot and killed **James F. Wible Sr.** and **Lloyd White**. - In the breakroom, he emptied his magazine, wounding all seven workers present, killing **William Ganote** with a shot to the head. - He reloaded and then fatally wounded **Kenneth Fentress**. After about 30 minutes and firing approximately 40 rounds, Wesbecker returned to the pressroom, pulled out his SIG Sauer pistol, placed it under his chin, and shot himself, ending the massacre.

Victims (Killed)

• Sharon L. L. Needy, age 49
• James G. Husband, age 47
• Paul Sallee, age 59
• Richard O. Barger, age 54 (or 55 in some reports)
• James F. Wible Sr., age 56
• Lloyd White, age 42
• William Ganote, age 46
• Kenneth Fentress, age 45

(8 people killed, plus Wesbecker himself by suicide — total 9 dead.) ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (9)

Richard Dickie Barger 54 yr old Male

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Standard Gravure shooting - Wikipedia

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