Charles Whitman – the killer of University of Texas

Charles Joseph Whitman (June 24, 1941 – August 1, 1966), a student at the University of Texas at Austin  and an ex-Marine, killed 14 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university’s campus on August 1, 1966.

Other school shootings  have taken place over the years. It’s a problem faced by every generation, it seems.

Three of his victims were killed inside the University’s tower and ten killed from the 29th floor observation deck  of the University’s 307 foot administrative building; one died a week after the shooting from her wounds. The tower massacre happened shortly after Whitman murdered his wife and mother at their homes. He was shot and killed by Austin Police Officer Houston McC assisted by Austin Police Officer Ramiro Martinez.

At the Cook Funeral Home the next day, an autopsy was performed as requested in Whitman’s suicide note and approved by Whitman’s father, Charles Adolf Whitman, and performed by Dr. Chenar. A brain tumor was found and initially reported as an astrocytoma brain tumor, although results from the subsequent Governor’s report investigation revealed the tumor was a glioblastoma that, according to the report, “conceivably could have contributed to his inability to control his emotions and actions”.

There was a joint funeral service for Whitman and his mother officiated by Fr. Tom Anglim at his home parish of Sacred Heart in Lake Worth. Due to his status as a veteran Marine, Whitman had a casket draped with an American flag for his burial in Section 16 of the Hillcrest Memorial Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, next to his mother and brother whitney John.