Texas University Tragedy 50 Years Ago

Hard to say this, but mass shootings are becoming more common these days. We all know this to be true. We've witnessed so many in recent years. It was 50 years ago today, when the country heard the news about a horrible mass murder in Texas. This was new territory for America. Things like this just did not happen in our country, until that fateful day.

August 1st, 1966, Charles Whitman, who was a college student, went to the top of the Texas University tower in Austin, Texas, and began firing on unsuspecting persons below.
Before he began that horrible offence, he has already killed his wife and his mother in their homes.

For about an hour and a half, Whitman fired down on anyone he saw, killing 14 people and injuring many more. It wasn't until some brave Austin police officers entered the tower, taking an elevator to the top, were able to take out Whitman.

In 1972, singer Harry Chapin wrote a song titled Sniper, which was based on the Texas University shootings. There are fictional portions added in, but it is a chilling look into the mind of the shooter.

The song is worth a listen, even though it comes in at almost 10 minutes. It's a very powerful tune.