Emanuel Burl Patterson — Huntsville, Alabama Mass Murder (2003)
Overview
On February 23, 2003, 23-year-old Emanuel Burl Patterson opened fire inside the Labor Ready temporary employment agency in Huntsville, Alabama, killing four men and wounding a fifth after an argument reportedly sparked by taunts over a CD player.
Patterson fled to his nearby apartment, where police—having traced the address from his job applications—engaged in a standoff before he surrendered. He was charged with capital murder and attempted murder. Patterson died in custody on January 21, 2012.
Location
Labor Ready Inc., a day-labor office in Huntsville (Madison County), Alabama.
Timeline of Events
- ~6:30 a.m., February 23, 2003: As job seekers gathered in the lobby, an argument escalated; Patterson produced a handgun and fired multiple shots.
- Late morning, February 23, 2003: Patterson fled to his apartment; police cut power to the building during a standoff.
- Later, February 23, 2003: Patterson surrendered to authorities without further loss of life.
- February 25, 2003: Prosecutors filed a capital murder charge (with an additional attempted murder count noted by the DA’s office).
- January 21, 2012: Patterson died while incarcerated.
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