Kipland Kinkel

Mass Murderer

Mass Murderer Kipland Kinkel – 1998 Overview

Background

Kipland Phillip Kinkel was born on August 30, 1982, in Springfield, Oregon, to William "Bill" Kinkel and Faith Zuranski, both Spanish teachers. He had an older sister, Kristin, and experienced a sabbatical year in Spain at age six. Despite a supportive family, Kinkel struggled academically—eventually diagnosed with dyslexia—and was described by classmates as strange and morbid. He developed an intense fascination with weapons and violent themes.

Parental Murders – May 20, 1998

On May 20, 1998, the day after being suspended from Thurston High School for possessing a stolen handgun, Kipland retrieved a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle and ammunition. He first fatally shot his father, William, in the back of the head, then dragged his body to the bathroom and covered it with a sheet. When his mother, Faith, arrived home that evening (around 6:30 p.m.), Kinkel met her in the garage, told her he loved her, then shot her multiple times (twice in the back of the head, three times in the face, once in the heart), afterward dragging her body and covering it with a sheet. He left a note reading in part, "I just got two felonies on my record. My parents can't take that! … God damn these voices inside my head … I have to kill people … I have no other choice."

School Shooting – May 21, 1998

On May 21, 1998, Kinkel drove his mother's Ford Explorer to Thurston High School. Concealed under a trench coat were multiple weapons: a .22-caliber Ruger rifle, a .22-caliber Ruger MK II pistol, a 9×19mm Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol, and two hunting knives, plus over 1,100 rounds of ammunition. Arriving near school, he entered a patio area and fired two shots—fatally wounding 16-year-old Ben Walker and injuring another student. Then he entered the cafeteria and fired 48 more rounds from his rifle, killing 17-year-old Mikael Nickolauson and wounding many others. In total, he fired 51 rounds, with 37 striking students. Around 300 students were present. Wounded student Jacob Ryker tackled Kinkel while he was reloading, aided by other students. During the struggle, Kinkel fired his Glock, wounding Ryker again. He was subdued by seven students total and arrested when police arrived. Later in custody, Kinkel attacked an officer with a knife, pleading to be shot before being subdued with pepper spray. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Bill Kinkel 59 yr old Male

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1998 Thurston High School shooting - Wikipedia

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