LawCriminal law

"Texas Sniper" by Charles Whitman: photo, reasons for shooting

At times, people who have an impeccable reputation commit cruel and meaningless crimes at first glance. A striking example is Charles Whitman, famous throughout the world as a "sniper from Texas". When asked about the motives that guided this man, none of the experts who studied his case could confidently answer.

Childhood and youth of Charles Whitman

A man who became known as a "sniper from Texas," was born into the family of a successful businessman, Charles A. Whitman. The long-awaited first-born was born in 1941, later the couple had two sons. Charles Whitman was very smart and already at the age of 6 years he struck everyone with his tests on IQ, gaining 138 points, which is considered a good result for an adult. From an early age, the boy showed interest in firearms, however, no one was surprised, because his father had a whole collection, taught to shoot all his sons and showed how to properly store a variety of rifles and rifles and take care of them. The attention was paid to religious education in the family. All the children regularly attended the church and even served there. When Charles was 12 years old, he received a high Boy Scout reward. In the summer of 1959, Whitman volunteered to serve in the United States Marine Corps. His father did not like this decision very much, but he could not interfere.

Adult life of the "Texas arrow"

Charles Whitman returned from the army in 1961. For a successful service, a young man was awarded a scholarship, thanks to which he was able to enter the University of Texas at the specialty of "mechanical engineering". In addition to studying, Charles found time for various hobbies: scuba diving, karate and hunting. However, soon his scholarship fell a guy because of problems with academic achievement and one unusual misconduct. Whitman shot a deer and brought the carcass for further processing into the student hostel. As a result, I had to give up my studies.

In 1962, Charles Whitman married Caitlin Francis Leissner. After the wedding, the hero of our history returned to military service. Soon he became a corporal, but for a long time to enjoy the new title did not have to. Very soon, Whitman was again demoted to the rank and file because of his love of forbidden gambling. Charles's military career ends in 1964. Returning home, he re-enters the University of Texas, selecting this time the specialty of the architect. In parallel, he also has to find work for himself. Not finding anything better, Whitman settles accounts collector. Then Charles worked in the Austin National Bank, and at the time of his terrible crime was employed in Cental Freight Lines.

I saved them from suffering ...

July 31, 1966, the Whitman family had the most usual day. Charles took Katie from work, they met with his mother, and then went to visit friends. Then the wife of Whitman went to work (on the night shift), and he himself sat down to write a suicide note. In this message he said that he is trying to maintain adequacy, but sometimes he can not understand himself. Having finished writing the letter, Charles went to his own mother and killed her by strangling and stabbing the chest. Near the body he left another note, in which he said that he loved this woman very much and did not find another way to save her from all the sufferings of this world. After the murder, Charles returned home, his wife was already asleep. He also killed him, killing three knifes in the chest. It can not be said that Whitman committed these murders spontaneously. He thought over everything to the smallest detail, even called the work of his wife and mother, warned that they both fell ill and did not go to the required shifts.

Shooting at the University of Texas

Early in the morning of August 1, 1966, after the murder of his wife, Charles Whitman began preparations for his terrible crime. He took a large suitcase, put in a few pieces of weapons, cartridges and other necessary things. After waiting at 9 o'clock in the morning, Charles transferred his baggage to the car and went to the nearest weapons store. There he bought a few more firearms, and then went to the University of Texas. At about 11.30, Whitman, pushing a large cart in front of him, entered the building of the educational institution, of which he himself was still a student. The killer was wearing overalls. Accidentally met a friend, he explained that he was cleaning the sewer. The purpose of Whitman was an observation deck on the upper tier of the university tower. On his way, he talked with several people, portraying complete carelessness. The first victims of Charles were visitors to the observation platform and a woman, a staff member of the university, who is following the order during the tour. Making sure that the living is no longer around, Whitman barricaded himself on the site, took the sniper's starting position, as he was taught in the army, and opened fire.

Victims of the "Texas arrow"

The first victim of Whitman was a child who was still in the womb of his mother. The murderer shot coolly into the belly of Claire Wilson, who is on a long pregnancy. Since the shot was made from the height of the 27th floor, no one in the square heard his sound. The bullet hit the target and crushed the child's skull. The woman managed to save later. Further, Whitman Charles continued to randomly shoot all the people on the university square. In total, he killed 16 people and wounded 32.

Police actions

The police quickly learned that in the tower of the University of Texas is a sniper, shooting people. However, there was no quick decision to neutralize and detain the shooter. Initially, a cordon was put up, people were no longer allowed to enter the square where the first victims were. This measure did not bring the desired effect. "Texas Sniper" did not get confused and began to aim at people who are at a greater distance from him, fired a series of shots at those who were near a local supermarket. Since the shooting was carried out from above with a rifle with an optical sight, the killer force of the shots only increased. However, those who were at a distance of 2 kilometers, Charles only wounded.

Retention of the "Texas arrow"

At 13.24 the police officers finally managed to get to the ill-fated observation platform. Noticing law enforcement officials, Charles Whitman, the "Texas sniper", fired a series of shots in their direction and did not miss. When the police sent weapons to him and offered to surrender, he also resisted, as a result of which he was shot. Charles Whitman died as a result of obtained eight gunshot wounds.

Interesting Facts

The very next morning, Charles Whitman, whose photo was on the front pages of all local newspapers, posthumously became the most real local "star." This terrible story shocked all citizens of America. Specialists immediately began an investigation. Having thoroughly studied the biography of the murderer, having checked all his contacts recently, they found no grounds and motives for committing such a crime. Why so much hatred, why in one morning a nice and respectable young man began randomly shooting at strangers what Charles Whitman wanted to achieve? The reasons for this act are incomprehensible. The "Texas sniper" himself in his suicide notes talks about problems with understanding himself and changing moods, and also decides to conduct an autopsy of his own body after death. During the medical examination, Charles was diagnosed with a brain tumor. According to experts, this pathology could indeed provoke mental problems. Interestingly: soon after the shooting at the University of Texas, a special SWAT unit was created, whose functions boil down to rapid reaction in emergency situations, when the police are not able to neutralize the criminals on their own. It is believed that it was the accident in Austin that motivated the authorities to organize this body of law and order.

Similar articles

 

 

 

 

Trending Now

 

 

 

 

Newest

Copyright © 2018 en.birmiss.com. Theme powered by WordPress.