Eric Pearson

Mass Murderer

Eric Emanuel "Ike" Pearson and the 1968 Ironwood Township Massacre

Background

Eric Emanuel Pearson, commonly known as "Ike," was a 56-year-old woodcutter and part-time janitor living along Lake Superior Road in Ironwood Township, Michigan. On the night of March 16, 1968, Pearson carried out one of the deadliest shooting sprees in the history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Using a powerful bolt-action hunting rifle, he moved through several locations in rural Gogebic County, killing seven people and seriously wounding two others. The violence occurred in the sparsely populated countryside outside Ironwood, close to the Wisconsin border. Many of the victims knew one another, and some apparently knew Pearson. Contemporary reports did not establish a clear motive for the killings. Pearson had been drinking before the shootings, but witnesses later testified that he appeared alert, could walk normally and remained aware of what was happening around him.

The Attack at the Gustafson Home

The shooting spree is believed to have begun at the Airport Road home of Vienna L. Gustafson, a 41-year-old widow. Several relatives and visitors were gathered in the house that Saturday evening. Pearson entered or approached the residence with his rifle and opened fire in the living room. Vienna Gustafson, her mother Sally Johnson, Katherine Rigoni and Daniel Weiss were shot inside the home. Newspaper accounts reported that most of the victims were sitting in the living room when the gunfire began. The shots were fired from a heavy-caliber rifle at close range, leaving the victims with devastating wounds. All four adults died at the scene. Vienna's 12-year-old daughter, Robin Gustafson, fled from the living room and hid in a bedroom closet. Pearson reportedly followed her and fired through the closet door. Robin was struck in the abdomen but survived. She remained hidden until she was discovered by her older sister, Pamela, who arrived at the house and found the victims.

The Shooting at the Hautala Residence

After leaving the Gustafson home, Pearson traveled west to the nearby residence of Henry Raymond Hautala and his wife. He entered through a rear doorway and encountered Henry Hautala in the kitchen. Pearson raised the rifle and shot Hautala, who collapsed near the kitchen table and died almost immediately. Pearson then shot Hautala's wife in the lower abdomen. Although seriously wounded, she managed to crawl from the house and reach Lake Road. A passing motorist found her and transported her to Grand View Hospital, where she was listed in very serious condition. ...

Confirmed Victims: (7)

Vienna Gustafson 41 yr old Female

1968 Eric Pearson led in courthouse charge 1count 1st degree murder