40th anniversary of Charles Whitman's killing spree

cartman · 08-01-2006, 01:15 PM

For those around Austin wondering why the flags are at half-staff, today marks the 40th anniversary of Charles Whitman going to the top of the clock tower on the UT campus and opening fire.

For a long time, the topic seemed off-limits to discuss in Austin. I remember back when I went to UT 15 years ago, it was still hush-hush to talk about it. The top of the tower was closed from 1974 to 1999. You can still see bullet holes or places where the holes were patched in many places around campus. Now it seems enough time has passed that people are starting to talk about it more and try to put it into context. A truly sad event in the city's history.

MikeVic · 08-01-2006, 01:23 PM

I've never heard of this. What kind of damage was done (i.e. wounded, killed)?

duckman · 08-01-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

I've never heard of this. What kind of damage was done (i.e. wounded, killed)?

According to wiki:

"Whitman killed 15 people and wounded 31 others before he was shot dead by Austin police. Some accounts allege 16 or 17 victims, citing a later suicide stemming from the attacks, and a pregnant woman who subsequently miscarried."

hxxp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Whitman

MikeVic · 08-01-2006, 01:44 PM

That sucks.

Lorena · 08-01-2006, 01:48 PM

At the time, it was the worst crime in American history. A sad, sad day for sure

miami_fan · 08-01-2006, 03:04 PM

Didn't this incident lead to the creation of SWAT teams?

stevew · 08-01-2006, 03:08 PM

There's a movie about the event, starring a very young kurt russell.

08-01-2006, 03:04 PM	#6
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	Didn't this incident lead to the creation of SWAT teams? __________________ "The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946

08-01-2006, 01:23 PM	#2
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I've never heard of this. What kind of damage was done (i.e. wounded, killed)?

08-01-2006, 01:44 PM	#4
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	That sucks.

08-01-2006, 01:48 PM	#5
Lorena Unregistered Join Date: May 2004	At the time, it was the worst crime in American history. A sad, sad day for sure

08-01-2006, 03:08 PM	#7
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	There's a movie about the event, starring a very young kurt russell.

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