Mark Essex

Mass Murderer

Mark Essex and the 1973 New Orleans Sniper Attack

Overview

Mark James Robert Essex was a 23-year-old former United States Navy sailor who carried out two connected shooting attacks in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning on December 31, 1972, and ending with a prolonged siege at the Downtown Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge on January 7, 1973. By the time the violence ended, Essex had fatally shot nine people, including five members of the New Orleans Police Department, and wounded numerous police officers, firefighters, hotel employees, emergency workers and civilians. The attack is often called the 1973 Howard Johnson's sniper siege, although the first shootings occurred one week earlier on New Year's Eve. Essex used a Ruger .44-caliber semiautomatic carbine as his principal weapon and also possessed a .38-caliber revolver. His writings, statements and selection of targets indicated that his crimes were driven by intense racial hatred, revolutionary beliefs and hostility toward law enforcement. The violence culminated in a rooftop battle involving police marksmen firing from nearby buildings and officers shooting from a United States Marine Corps helicopter.

Background and Growing Radicalization

Essex was born on August 12, 1949, in Emporia, Kansas. He grew up in a working family and was remembered by relatives and childhood acquaintances as a quiet young man who enjoyed hunting, fishing and mechanical work. After briefly attending college, he enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1969. During his naval service, Essex reportedly became increasingly angry about racial discrimination. He complained of harassment and unfair treatment by white sailors and superiors. His behavior and attitude deteriorated, and he received disciplinary action before leaving the Navy in 1970 with a general discharge under honorable conditions. After returning to civilian life, Essex became interested in Black nationalist and revolutionary ideas. He eventually moved to New Orleans and lived in a small apartment at 2619 Dryades Street. Investigators later discovered that the apartment's windows had been covered to prevent light from entering. The walls contained racial slogans, revolutionary messages and writings expressing hatred toward police officers and white society. A map of New Orleans was also found in the apartment, with areas near police headquarters and the Downtown Howard Johnson's Hotel marked or circled. The discovery suggested that Essex had considered or prepared for attacks against both locations before the shootings occurred.

The New Year's Eve Attack

At approximately 10:55 p.m. on December 31, 1972, Essex approached the New Orleans Police Department's Central Lockup near the intersection of Perdido Street and South White Street. The location was especially busy because officers were gathering for the approaching 11:00 p.m. shift change. Essex carried his rifle, revolver, ammunition, lighter fluid, matches, wire cutters, a gas mask and firecrackers in a duffel bag. He concealed himself in a dark parking area across from the lockup and opened fire on police personnel near the gate. Police cadet Alfred Ephren Harrell Jr., who was nearing the end of his shift, ran across the entrance area after gunfire began. Essex shot Harrell in the chest. The bullet also ricocheted and wounded Lieutenant Horace Perez in the ankle. Harrell was transported to Charity Hospital but died shortly afterward. Essex escaped by climbing a fence and crossing the elevated Interstate 10 expressway. He used exploding firecrackers as a diversion while officers attempted to determine the direction from which the shots had been fired. After reaching the industrial Gert Town area, Essex attempted to enter a building at 4100 Euphrosine Street by shooting its door. He then broke into the nearby Burkart Manufacturing Building at the corner of Euphrosine and South Gayoso streets. The forced entry triggered a burglar alarm. Sergeant Edwin Chisholm Hosli Sr. and Officer Harold Blappert responded with a police dog. Essex ambushed the officers from inside the building. Hosli was struck in the chest and abdomen and critically wounded. Blappert escaped the immediate line of fire and summoned assistance. Police surrounded and searched the area, but Essex slipped away. Sergeant Hosli remained hospitalized for more than two months before dying from his wounds on March 5, 1973. ...

Confirmed Victims: (7)

Frank Schneider 62 yr old Male

Mark Essex