Charles Whitman

American mass murderer and spree killer; perpetrator of the University of Texas Tower shooting

Charles Joseph Whitman (born June 24, 1941 in Lake Worth, Florida – died August 1, 1966 in Austin, Texas) was a former marine and student who is best known for committing the Tower shooting at the University of Texas at Austin on August 1, 1966 where he killed 14 people and wounded 32 others. It was the deadliest school shooting until the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. Dean Corll

Charles Whitman
Born(1941-06-24)June 24, 1941
Lake Worth Beach, Florida
DiedAugust 1, 1966(1966-08-01) (aged 25)
Austin, Texas
Other namesThe Texas Tower Sniper
SpouseKathy Leissner ​ (m. 1962; died 1966)
Details
DateAugust 1, 1966

Family: 12:15–3:00 a.m.

Random: 11:48 a.m. – 1:24 p.m.
Location(s)University of Texas at Austin
Killed17 (including an unborn child and a victim who died from complications in 2001)
Injured31
Weapons
  • Remington 700 ADL (6mm)
  • Universal M1 carbine
  • Remington Model 141 (.35–caliber)
  • Sears model 60 semi-automatic shotgun (12 gauge)
  • S&W Model 19 (.357 Magnum)
  • Luger P08 (9mm)
  • Galesi-Brescia (.25 ACP)
  • Machete