Thomas Lee Penn

Serial Killer

Thomas Lee Penn: The 1966 Richmond Killing Spree

Overview

Thomas Lee Penn was an American serial and spree killer responsible for a terrifying series of shootings in and around Richmond, Virginia, during the spring of 1966. Penn was only 18 years old when he was arrested. Some of the crimes were committed with the assistance of his older brother, William Penn, although Thomas was regarded by investigators as the principal driving force behind the violence. Between April 10 and May 21, 1966, six people were killed. The victims varied widely in age, race and background, and the shootings occurred in motels, residential neighborhoods, isolated roads and wooded areas. The apparent randomness of the attacks created intense fear because Richmond residents could identify no particular type of person who was safe from the killers. Robbery was involved in several of the murders, but the extreme number of shots fired at certain victims suggested that obtaining money was not Penn's only motive. He sometimes lured victims into vehicles, drove them to secluded locations and shot them repeatedly. He later gave police detailed statements describing several of the killings.

The Victims

• Mozelle Leon Spencer, 78 April 10, 1966 Eggleston Motel, Richmond, Virginia: Spencer was working as a night clerk at the motel when he was robbed and fatally shot. Thomas Penn later implicated his brother William in the crime. William was ultimately convicted for his participation in Spencer's killing and received a prison sentence of 26 years.
• Willie Sexton, 21 April 1966 Chickahominy River area, Virginia: Sexton lived in the 2800 block of East Broad Street in Richmond. He was shot nine times in the back. His body was then placed in the Chickahominy River, where it was later discovered. Available accounts identify the killing as occurring in April 1966, but do not consistently provide a verified exact day.
• Cynthia Johnson, 16 May 10, 1966 Behind 1409 North 32nd Street, Richmond, Virginia: Johnson was a Church Hill resident who had last been seen after separating from a boyfriend following an argument. She was shot twice in the chest, and her body was abandoned behind a building on North 32nd Street.
• Addison E. Wilkins, 20 May 21, 1966 3600 block of East Richmond Road near Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia: Penn encountered Wilkins near Forest Hill Avenue and asked him for directions to Laburnum Avenue. Penn instead drove him to an excavation area near Oakwood Cemetery. After pretending that the vehicle had accelerator trouble, Penn persuaded Wilkins to get out and then opened fire. Wilkins was shot ten times, including five times in the back of the head. Penn stole approximately $11, Wilkins's identification and his watch. He later burned the identification and destroyed the watch.
• Malcomb Lynn Norment Jr., 41 May 21, 1966 3600 block of East Richmond Road near Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia: After killing Wilkins, Penn returned to West Broad Street and offered Norment a ride to a bus station. He instead transported Norment to the same excavation area near Oakwood Cemetery. Norment was forced out of the vehicle and shot repeatedly. The medical examination documented gunshot wounds to his chest, back, head and face. Penn stole money and identification from him before placing his body near Wilkins.
• James Horace Carter Sr., 52 May 21, 1966 Wooded area in rural Henrico County, Virginia: Carter, a resident of Sandston, was shot twelve times in the stomach, back and head. His body was abandoned in woods east of Richmond. Penn later implicated William Penn as an active participant in Carter's killing.

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Confirmed Victims: (6)

Mozelle Leon Spencer Age: (78), Date of Death: 1966-04-10

Thomas Dillon - Wikipedia