Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,969 posts)
Wed Oct 16, 2024, 08:56 AM Oct 16

On this day, October 16, 1991, the Luby's shooting in Killeen, Texas, occurred.

Luby's shooting

Date: October 16, 1991; 33 years ago
12:39 – 12:51 p.m.
Target: Customers and staff at a Luby's cafeteria, particularly women; first responders
Perpetrator: George Hennard
Motive: Misogyny

The Luby's shooting was a mass shooting that took place on October 16, 1991, at a Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas. The perpetrator, George Hennard, drove his pickup truck through the front window of the restaurant. He shot and killed 23 people, and wounded 27 others. He had a brief shootout with police, refused their orders to surrender, and fatally shot himself.

At the time, the shooting was the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history, being surpassed 16 years later by the Virginia Tech shooting.

{snip}

Incident

On October 16, 1991, 35-year-old George Hennard, an unemployed former merchant seaman, drove a blue 1987 Ford Ranger pickup truck through the plate-glass front window of a Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, at 12:39 p.m. October 16 was Boss's Day, and the cafeteria was unusually crowded with around 150 people. Hennard then began firing from inside the truck while holding Glock 17 and Ruger P89 pistols; the first victim was veterinarian Michael Griffith. Hennard exited the truck and yelled, "All women of Killeen and Belton are vipers! This is what you've done to me and my family! This is what Bell County did to me ... this is payback day!" He then opened fire on the patrons and staff with both pistols. Hennard then circled around the cafeteria, selectively picking his victims. Hennard said "You bitch" to a woman before fatally shooting her.

{snip}

Mon Oct 16, 2023: On this day, October 16, 1991, the Luby's shooting in Killeen, Texas, occurred.

Sun Oct 16, 2022: On this day, October 16, 1991, the Luby's shooting in Killeen, Texas, occurred.

Sat Oct 16, 2021: On this day, October 16, 1991, the Luby's shooting, in Killeen, Texas, occurred.
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»American History»On this day, October 16, ...