Charles Joseph Whitman, also known as the “Texas Tower Sniper,” was an American mass murderer.
On August 1, 1966, Whitman killed his mother and wife with knives in their homes before proceeding to the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) with several firearms, where he began shooting at people without discrimination.
Charles Joseph Whitman Childhood
Born on June 24, 1941, in Lake Worth, Florida, Charles Whitman was described as a polite child who rarely lost his temper. He was also found to be highly intelligent, with an IQ of 139 when he was only six years old. Whitman’s parents encouraged his academic pursuits, and any signs of failure or laziness were met with discipline, including physical punishment from his father.
After finishing high school at St. Ann’s in West Palm Beach in June 1959, Charles Whitman ranked seventh out of 72 students in his class.
To celebrate his graduation and upcoming eighteenth birthday, Whitman and some friends drank excessively, leading to his father’s anger upon his return home. His father beat him severely before throwing him into the family swimming pool.
Just three days after his birthday, Whitman enlisted in the US Marine Corps without his father’s knowledge. He was subsequently deployed to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, on July 6.
University of Texas tower shooting
Charles Whitman carried a large amount of guns and ammunition to the observatory platform atop a 300-foot tower at the University of Texas, where he proceeded to shoot 46 people on August 1, 1966. He killed 14 people and injured 32 others.
Charles Whitman
Prior to the shooting, Whitman had killed both his wife and mother the night before. However, he was eventually killed by Austin police officers who heroically charged up the stairs of the tower to subdue the attacker.
Whitman, who was a former Eagle Scout and Marine, began experiencing severe mental health issues after his mother left his father in March 1966. On March 29, he confided in a psychiatrist that he was having uncontrollable fits of anger and even mentioned that he was considering shooting people from the tower with a rifle. Unfortunately, the doctor did not pursue this warning.
On July 31, Charles Whitman wrote a note detailing his violent impulses. In the note, he also requested that an autopsy be conducted on his body after his death to determine if there was a biological cause for his violent actions and his increasingly severe headaches. He also expressed his intense hatred for his family and his intention to kill them.
“I do not quite understand what it is that compels me to type this letter. Perhaps it is to leave some vague reason for the actions I have recently performed. I do not really understand myself these days. I am supposed to be an average reasonable and intelligent young man.
However, lately (I cannot recall when it started) I have been a victim of many unusual and irrational thoughts. These thoughts constantly recur, and it requires a tremendous mental effort to concentrate on useful and progressive tasks.”
That night, Whitman went to his mother’s home and fatally stabbed and shot her. He then returned to his own home and stabbed his wife to death.
Whiteman’s mother after he stabbed her to death.
The next morning, Whitman headed to the tower with several pistols and a rifle, purchasing ammunition and a carbine from a gun store on the way. He packed supplies and food and proceeded to the observation platform. Upon his arrival, he killed the receptionist and two tourists before unpacking his rifle and telescope and targeting people below.
Charles Whitman was an expert marksman, and he was able to hit people as far away as 500 yards. He continued to fire for 90 minutes while officers searched for an opportunity to take him down. Eventually, they were able to shoot and kill him. By the end of his attack, 14 people had been killed and over 30 were injured.
Whiteman’s body after he was shot
Following the tragedy, the University of Texas tower was closed for a period of time before eventually reopening for tours.
The Autopsy
The autopsy request was approved by his father.
On August 2, an autopsy was performed on Charles Whitman’s body, during which a “pecan-sized” brain tumor was discovered. The tumor was identified as an astrocytoma and showed some signs of necrosis.