Associated Press
Prior to commencing the shooting rampage from the observation deck of the UT Tower, Whitman had stabbed both his mother and wife to death in their own homes.
Getty Images
Most people could not believe that Whitman had no criminal record for violence, did not have a history of any psychiatric illness and tested negative for any psychoactive substances.
UT at Austin on August 1, 1966
Getty Images
,Google Earth, Landsat/Copernicus, Data SOI, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO
The peaceful university campus was thrown into chaos and panic by rounds from an unknown assailant. The dedication and bravery of first responders restored order and saved lives.
Whitman was a former Marine sharpshooter who fired on unsuspecting victims for an hour and a half. He ultimately killed seventeen and wounded thirty-one.
Whitman was finally neutralized by four heroic individuals: Crum, Martinez, McCoy and Day.
Getty Images
The "Posse"
Associated Press
The key question;
"What elements provoked this shockingly violent behaviour?"
- remained unanswered for many decades.
All photos labelled Getty Images or Associated Press are being used after the purchase of individual editorial licenses from the respective corporation. All other images are covered by Creative Commons licenses with attributions as described in my book Cause of Death: Ballistic Trauma.