University of Texas tower shooting
The University of Texas tower shooting was a school shooting in the United States. It happened on August 1, 1966.[1] It took place in Austin, Texas at University of Texas at Austin.
| University of Texas Tower shooting | |
|---|---|
| University of Texas Tower shooting Main building of the University of Texas | |
| Location | University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Date | August 1, 1966 Stabbing: c. 12:15 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. Shooting: 11:48 a.m. – 1:24 p.m. (UTC-06:00) |
| Attack type | School shooting, mass shooting, familicide, matricide, uxoricide, mass murder, stabbing |
| Weapon(s) | * Remington 700 ADL (6mm)
|
| Deaths | 18 (including Whitman and an unborn child) |
| Injured | 31 |
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Sixteen people were killed in the incident. A 17th victim succumbed to his injuries in 2001.
Charles Whitman was the mass murderer. It has been suggested that Whitman's violent impulses, with which he struggled for years, were caused by a tumor on his brain.[2] Whitman had killed his wife and his mother hours earlier.
After the shootings, the observation deck was closed. The many bullet holes were repaired. The tower was closed again in 1975 after four suicides. It reopened in 1999 after security features were put up.
University Of Texas Tower Shooting Media
- Wedding Photo of Charles and Kathleen Leissner Whitman.jpg
Whitman and Leissner at their wedding in 1962
- Charles Whitman's arsenal.jpg
The rifles and sawed-off shotgun used by Whitman in the University of Texas tower shooting
- Charlotte Darehshori Hiding Behind Flagpole.jpg
Charlotte Darehshori takes refuge behind a flagpole as an injured student, Devereaux Huffman, lies beside a hedge
- Body of Charles Whitman.jpg
The body of Charles Whitman lies on the observation deck
- Robert Hamilton Boyer 1966 University of Texas.jpg
Dr. Robert Boyer, UT Texas tower shooting victim, as published in 22 August 1966 edition of LIFE magazine.
- UT Tower Shooting Memorial Austin.jpg
The stone monument unveiled at the Tower Garden on the fiftieth anniversary of the University of Texas tower shooting