George Hennard

Mass Murderer

George Hennard and the 1991 Luby’s Cafeteria Massacre

Overview

On October 16, 1991, George Pierre Hennard, a 35-year-old unemployed former Merchant Marine seaman from Belton, Texas (originally born October 15, 1956, in Sayre, Pennsylvania), deliberately drove his 1987 Ford Ranger pickup through the large plate-glass window of Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas. The attack unfolded during the busy lunchtime rush—Boss’s Day—which made the cafeteria unusually crowded, with approximately 150 patrons and staff on site. Armed with two 9 mm semi-automatic pistols—a Glock 17 and a Ruger P89—Hennard proceeded to open fire inside the restaurant, killing 23 people and wounding 27 others before turning one of his weapons on himself. He died by suicide after a brief exchange of gunfire with arriving police officers.

Chronology & Motives

- At about 12:39 p.m., Hennard rammed his truck through the front window of Luby’s during the crowded lunch hour. - His first victim was veterinary surgeon Michael Griffith, who approached the truck to offer assistance. - As he exited the vehicle, Hennard proclaimed: “All women of Killeen and Belton are vipers! This is what you’ve done to me and my family! This is what Bell County did to me… this is payback day!” - He moved through the cafeteria, targeting largely women—calling at least two victims “bitch” before shooting them. Hennard specifically sought out female victims, skipping over men at times. - One brave customer, Tommy Vaughn, escaped by crashing through a rear window, inadvertently creating a path that allowed dozens to flee. - Hennard reloaded at least three times during the massacre, and when police confronted him, a brief shootout ensued. He was wounded in the abdomen by police, retreated near the restrooms, refused to surrender, stating “No, I’m going to kill more people,” and ultimately shot himself in the head when out of ammunition.

Victims

Below is the list of those who tragically lost their lives. All were killed by George Hennard on October 16, 1991, at Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas:

• Patricia Carney, 57, Belton
• Jimmie Caruthers, 48, Austin
• Kriemhild Davis, 62, Killeen
• Steven Dody, 43, Copperas Cove / Fort Hood
• Alphonse “Al” Gratia, 71, Copperas Cove
• Ursula Gratia, 67, Copperas Cove
• Debra Gray, 33, Copperas Cove
• Michael Griffith, 48, Copperas Cove (veterinarian, first victim)
• Venezia Ellen Henehan, 70, Metz, Missouri
• Clodine Humphrey, 63, Marlin
• Sylvia King, 30, Killeen
• Zona Lynn, 65, Marlin
• Connie Peterson, 41, Austin
• Ruth Pujol, 55, Copperas Cove
• Su-Zann Rashott, 36, Copperas Cove
• John Romero, Jr., 29, Copperas Cove
• Thomas Simmons, 55, Copperas Cove
• Glen Arval Spivey, 55, Harker Heights
• Nancy Stansbury, 44, Harker Heights
• Olgica Taylor, 45, Waco
• James Welsh, 75, Waco
• Lula Welsh, 64, Waco
• Iva Juanita Williams, 64, Temple

A total of 23 victims were killed; Hennard also died at the scene, bringing the total death count to 24—including the perpetrator. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (23)

Patricia B. Carney 57 yr old Female

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A gunman killed 23 people at a Luby's in Killeen 30 years ago. It ...

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