Frank Carter: The Omaha Sniper
Early Life
Frank Carter, born around 1881 in County Mayo, Ireland, was originally named Patrick Murphy. He immigrated to the United States, where he worked as a laborer in Omaha, Nebraska. Little is known about his early life before his criminal activities began.
Criminal Activities
In February 1926, Omaha experienced a series of shootings that left the community in fear. Carter's attacks were characterized by their randomness and brutality, leading to his nickname, "The Omaha Sniper." His confirmed victims include:
- William McDevitt: A mechanic shot multiple times with a .22 caliber pistol on February 1926. One bullet passed through his head, lodging behind his eye. McDevitt did not survive the attack.
- Dr. A.D. Searles: A doctor found shot to death in his office a few nights after McDevitt's murder.
In addition to these murders, Carter was responsible for other violent acts:
- On February 21, 1926, he shot Ross Johnson, a railroad detective, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Johnson survived and provided a description of his assailant.
- Carter fired indiscriminately into a downtown Omaha drugstore, further heightening public fear.
During this period, Omaha residents were advised to stay indoors and keep their lights off at night, as Carter often targeted individuals standing near illuminated windows.
Capture and Confession
Carter was apprehended on February 22, 1926, approximately two weeks after his first known attack. He was found 30 miles south of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and quickly confessed to the known crimes and more, claiming to have killed 43 people. However, reporters doubted most of his claims, with The Lexington Herald-Leader calling many of the alleged murders "obviously fictitious."
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