James Buquet

Mass Murderer

James Buquet and the 1993 Family Fitness Center Massacre

Background

James M. Buquet was a 19-year-old college student from Alpine, California, who carried out a deadly mass shooting at a health club in El Cajon on October 14, 1993. Buquet had reportedly been experiencing severe depression after undergoing knee surgery. The injury and recovery prevented him from exercising, an activity that had previously occupied an important place in his life. Relatives later described him as increasingly withdrawn and emotionally troubled during the period before the murders. Buquet was attending Grossmont College in San Diego County. Although he had no known relationship with the people he ultimately killed, his behavior and writings before the attack later raised serious questions about his mental state and whether warning signs had been overlooked.

A Disturbing College Essay

Several weeks before the shooting, Buquet submitted a violent story for a creative-writing class at Grossmont College. The story featured a fictional character named "Natas A. Bishop." The character's first name was "Satan" spelled backward, and the narrative described him preparing to commit a shooting in a crowded public establishment. The fictional account involved a character armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and contained descriptions of the fear and suffering of innocent victims. At the time it was submitted, the essay was treated as a work of fiction. After the health-club massacre, however, investigators and reporters examined it as a possible indication that Buquet had been contemplating a similar attack. On September 24, 1993, approximately two days after submitting the essay, Buquet purchased a 12-gauge shotgun. The weapon was later used during the massacre.

The Family Fitness Center Shooting

At approximately 12:18 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 1993, Buquet arrived at the Family Fitness Center at 850 Arnele Avenue in El Cajon, California. The shooting occurred during the lunch hour, when numerous patrons were using the club. Buquet had reportedly been a member of the facility for approximately three months. Armed with the recently purchased shotgun, Buquet first fired at a man outside the health club. He then entered the building and continued shooting at patrons. The attack unfolded rapidly, creating panic as people attempted to hide, escape or assist those who had been wounded. Buquet did not appear to be pursuing a specific person. Investigators found no established dispute between him and the victims and no evidence that the four people killed had been selected because of a personal connection. The victims appeared to have been attacked simply because they were present when Buquet entered the club. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Rebecca Negrete 31 yr old Female

Gunman Had Written A Story About Murder