The gunman, 37-year-old Edward Charles Allaway, was a custodian at the university's library. Armed with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle[5] he purchased at a Buena ParkKmart, Allaway killed seven people and injured two others in the library's first-floor lobby and at the building's Instructional Media Center (IMC), located in the basement. Witnesses told investigators that Allaway's attack began shortly before 7 am, with some witnesses claiming the gunfire was like a machine gun in a movie, while others likened it to a "popping" noise.[5] He reportedly chased down Deborah Paulsen and Donald Karges before killing them, and shot Bruce Jacobson after Jacobson attempted to subdue him with a metal statue. After shooting Seth Fessenden and Paul Herzberg, he took a service elevator down to the first floor and shot Frank Teplansky and left a visiting high school student unharmed. He then shot Stephen Becker before he ran out of bullets.[6]
An eyewitness who was a part of a high school program stated Allaway was agitated when he saw him. The eyewitness stated that he saw Allaway pass by him and another counselor who had gone into the hallway to investigate the noises. Allaway reportedly stated, "He doesn't belong here; he doesn't belong here." before aiming his rifle at the eyewitness and the other counselor. However, instead of firing at the two individuals Allaway lowered the gun and ran in the opposite direction, and soon after the two could hear more gunfire.[5]
Allaway fled the school campus, went to Hilton Inn Hotel[5] a nearby hotel in Anaheim, where his former wife worked, and telephoned police to report his actions. He told them, "I went berserk at Cal State Fullerton, and I committed some terrible act. I'd appreciate it if you people would come down and pick me up. I'm unarmed, and I'm giving myself up to you."[7]
Victims
The deceased victims were Paul Herzberg, 30, Bruce Jacobson, 32, Donald Karges, 41, Deborah Paulsen, 25, Seth Fessenden, 72, Frank Teplansky, 51 and Stephen Becker, 32. The injured victims were Maynard Hoffman, 64 and Donald Keran, 55.[8]
Perpetrator
Allaway was found guilty of six counts of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder. A second phase of the trial determined that he was not sane. Five different mental health professionals diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia.[9] He presented a history of mental illness, as he had tried to commit suicide and had been hospitalized and treated with electroconvulsive therapy in the past. He was committed to the California state mental hospital system, beginning at Atascadero State Hospital. He was then transferred and held at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino. In 2016, he was transferred to the less secure Napa State Hospital. The families of Allaway's victims protested his transfer.[4]
He was found to have injured a co-worker at a Michigan plant. A short time before the shooting rampage, he had threatened his wife with a knife and raped her.[3] Allaway's apparent motive was that he had delusions that pornographers were forcing his wife to appear in movies. The couple had separated over Memorial Day Weekend 1976 after a blow-up. His wife had filed for divorce shortly before Allaway attacked co-workers at the university.
The defense alleged that library staff members screened commercial pornographic movies before library opening hours and in break rooms, but Allaway's wife was not in them.
Trial and release hearings
After a 1977 jury convicted Allaway of murder but deadlocked in the sanity phase of the trial, a judge found Allaway not guilty by reason of insanity. By law, defendants found insane are committed to a mental institution until they are found sane. Allaway remained institutionalized at Patton State Hospital for a number of years. During his time at Patton, Allaway made several failed petitions to the courts asking for his release.[3] He was eventually transferred to Napa State Hospital in 2016 where he currently resides.[4]
In the summer of 2009, officials at Patton indicated that Allaway was asymptomatic, had not needed medication, and they would recommend his release. The district attorney contacted the governor and the state mental health director to protest the hospital's planned action, given his history of violence and the mass murder. Patton withdrew the recommendation for release a few months later.[10]
Victim Stephen Becker's father was the university's founding dean of students.[11] He provided comments against Allaway's release on several occasions.[12][13]
Aftermath
Survivors and family of the deceased victims commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the attack with a candlelight vigil.[6]
^Paige Austin (October 9, 2011). "Eight Dead in Shooting at Salon, Worst Massacre in O.C. History". Laguna Beach Patch.
^ abcGreg Hardesty (August 21, 2013). "Release blocked for county's worst mass killer". Orange County Register.
^ abcFrank Shyong (August 20, 2016). "Cal State Fullerton killer's hospital transfer sparks protests from his victims' families". Los Angeles Times.
^ abcdTimes, Robert Lindsey Special to The New York (July 13, 1976). "Seven Killed, Two Injured as Guhman Sprays Shots at College in California". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
^ abLuppi, Kathleen (July 1, 2016). "40 years since a 5-minute shooting spree caused a lifetime of devastation, Cal State Fullerton remembers 7 lives lost". Daily Pilot. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
^"Janitor kills 6 in shooting spree". Columbia Missourian (Columbia, Missouri). July 13, 1976.
^Bovsun, Mara (June 11, 2016). "Mass murderer who killed 7 at Cal State Fullerton begs to be freed from psychiatric hospital". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
^Thao Hua (May 25, 1998). "Mass Slayer Seeks Release From Mental Facility". Los Angeles Times.
^Robin Hinch (January 9, 1998). "OBITUARY: Ernest Becker, 83, pioneering dean at CSUF". The Orange County Register (Morning ed.). p. B05. Among various professional achievements, he'll be remembered for an elephant race
^Jeff Collins (May 14, 1991). "Man who killed 7 at CSUF in '76 says it's time state released him". Orange County Register. p. A01.
^Bryon MacWilliams (July 13, 1994). "Fullerton mass-murderer Allaway makes another bid for his release: Once found criminally insane, the killer wants to be placed in a community-based mental facility". Orange County Register (Morning ed.). p. B01.
Further reading
Smith, Nicole M. (May 15, 2006). "History of a Cal State Fullerton Killer". The Daily Titan. Fullerton, California. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
Smith, Nicole M. (May 16, 2006). "Blood Spills in Library Hallways". The Daily Titan. Fullerton, California. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
Smith, Nicole M. (May 17, 2006). "Victims Fall in Wake of Killing Spree". The Daily Titan. Fullerton, California. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
Smith, Nicole M. (May 18, 2006). . The Daily Titan. Fullerton, California. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
Smith, Nicole M. (May 11, 2006). . Tusk Magazine. Fullerton, California. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
california, state, university, fullerton, massacre, california, state, university, fullerton, massacre, incident, mass, murder, committed, custodian, edward, charles, allaway, born, 1939, july, 1976, california, state, university, fullerton, fullerton, califor. The California State University Fullerton massacre was an incident of mass murder committed by a custodian Edward Charles Allaway born 1939 on July 12 1976 at California State University Fullerton in Fullerton California United States 1 It was the worst mass murder in Orange County until the 2011 Seal Beach shooting in which eight people died 2 California State University Fullerton massacrePart of mass shootings in the United States and school shootings in the United StatesLocationFullerton California United StatesDateJuly 12 1976 1976 07 12 46 years agoTargetCalifornia State University FullertonAttack typeSchool shootingWeapons 22 caliber semi automatic rifleDeaths7Injured2PerpetratorEdward Charles AllawayAllaway had a history of violence and mental illness He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found insane by a judge after being convicted by a jury He was initially imprisoned at Patton State Hospital under medical treatment 3 In 2016 he was transferred to Napa State Hospital 4 Contents 1 Events 2 Victims 3 Perpetrator 4 Trial and release hearings 5 Aftermath 6 See also 7 References 8 Further readingEvents EditThe gunman 37 year old Edward Charles Allaway was a custodian at the university s library Armed with a 22 caliber semi automatic rifle 5 he purchased at a Buena Park Kmart Allaway killed seven people and injured two others in the library s first floor lobby and at the building s Instructional Media Center IMC located in the basement Witnesses told investigators that Allaway s attack began shortly before 7 am with some witnesses claiming the gunfire was like a machine gun in a movie while others likened it to a popping noise 5 He reportedly chased down Deborah Paulsen and Donald Karges before killing them and shot Bruce Jacobson after Jacobson attempted to subdue him with a metal statue After shooting Seth Fessenden and Paul Herzberg he took a service elevator down to the first floor and shot Frank Teplansky and left a visiting high school student unharmed He then shot Stephen Becker before he ran out of bullets 6 An eyewitness who was a part of a high school program stated Allaway was agitated when he saw him The eyewitness stated that he saw Allaway pass by him and another counselor who had gone into the hallway to investigate the noises Allaway reportedly stated He doesn t belong here he doesn t belong here before aiming his rifle at the eyewitness and the other counselor However instead of firing at the two individuals Allaway lowered the gun and ran in the opposite direction and soon after the two could hear more gunfire 5 Allaway fled the school campus went to Hilton Inn Hotel 5 a nearby hotel in Anaheim where his former wife worked and telephoned police to report his actions He told them I went berserk at Cal State Fullerton and I committed some terrible act I d appreciate it if you people would come down and pick me up I m unarmed and I m giving myself up to you 7 Victims EditThe deceased victims were Paul Herzberg 30 Bruce Jacobson 32 Donald Karges 41 Deborah Paulsen 25 Seth Fessenden 72 Frank Teplansky 51 and Stephen Becker 32 The injured victims were Maynard Hoffman 64 and Donald Keran 55 8 Perpetrator EditAllaway was found guilty of six counts of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder A second phase of the trial determined that he was not sane Five different mental health professionals diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia 9 He presented a history of mental illness as he had tried to commit suicide and had been hospitalized and treated with electroconvulsive therapy in the past He was committed to the California state mental hospital system beginning at Atascadero State Hospital He was then transferred and held at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino In 2016 he was transferred to the less secure Napa State Hospital The families of Allaway s victims protested his transfer 4 He was found to have injured a co worker at a Michigan plant A short time before the shooting rampage he had threatened his wife with a knife and raped her 3 Allaway s apparent motive was that he had delusions that pornographers were forcing his wife to appear in movies The couple had separated over Memorial Day Weekend 1976 after a blow up His wife had filed for divorce shortly before Allaway attacked co workers at the university The defense alleged that library staff members screened commercial pornographic movies before library opening hours and in break rooms but Allaway s wife was not in them Trial and release hearings EditAfter a 1977 jury convicted Allaway of murder but deadlocked in the sanity phase of the trial a judge found Allaway not guilty by reason of insanity By law defendants found insane are committed to a mental institution until they are found sane Allaway remained institutionalized at Patton State Hospital for a number of years During his time at Patton Allaway made several failed petitions to the courts asking for his release 3 He was eventually transferred to Napa State Hospital in 2016 where he currently resides 4 In the summer of 2009 officials at Patton indicated that Allaway was asymptomatic had not needed medication and they would recommend his release The district attorney contacted the governor and the state mental health director to protest the hospital s planned action given his history of violence and the mass murder Patton withdrew the recommendation for release a few months later 10 Victim Stephen Becker s father was the university s founding dean of students 11 He provided comments against Allaway s release on several occasions 12 13 Aftermath EditSurvivors and family of the deceased victims commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the attack with a candlelight vigil 6 See also EditList of homicides in CaliforniaReferences Edit 9 Shot at Cal State Fullerton Orange County Register Evening ed July 12 1976 Paige Austin October 9 2011 Eight Dead in Shooting at Salon Worst Massacre in O C History Laguna Beach Patch a b c Greg Hardesty August 21 2013 Release blocked for county s worst mass killer Orange County Register a b c Frank Shyong August 20 2016 Cal State Fullerton killer s hospital transfer sparks protests from his victims families Los Angeles Times a b c d Times Robert Lindsey Special to The New York July 13 1976 Seven Killed Two Injured as Guhman Sprays Shots at College in California The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved July 10 2020 a b Luppi Kathleen July 1 2016 40 years since a 5 minute shooting spree caused a lifetime of devastation Cal State Fullerton remembers 7 lives lost Daily Pilot Retrieved July 10 2020 Janitor kills 6 in shooting spree Columbia Missourian Columbia Missouri July 13 1976 Bovsun Mara June 11 2016 Mass murderer who killed 7 at Cal State Fullerton begs to be freed from psychiatric hospital New York Daily News Retrieved March 18 2020 Slayer goes to mental hospital Los Angeles Times reprinted in The Tuscaloosa News Tuscaloosa Alabama November 18 1977 Thao Hua May 25 1998 Mass Slayer Seeks Release From Mental Facility Los Angeles Times Robin Hinch January 9 1998 OBITUARY Ernest Becker 83 pioneering dean at CSUF The Orange County Register Morning ed p B05 Among various professional achievements he ll be remembered for an elephant race Jeff Collins May 14 1991 Man who killed 7 at CSUF in 76 says it s time state released him Orange County Register p A01 Bryon MacWilliams July 13 1994 Fullerton mass murderer Allaway makes another bid for his release Once found criminally insane the killer wants to be placed in a community based mental facility Orange County Register Morning ed p B01 Further reading EditSmith Nicole M May 15 2006 History of a Cal State Fullerton Killer The Daily Titan Fullerton California Retrieved July 12 2016 Smith Nicole M May 16 2006 Blood Spills in Library Hallways The Daily Titan Fullerton California Retrieved July 12 2016 Smith Nicole M May 17 2006 Victims Fall in Wake of Killing Spree The Daily Titan Fullerton California Retrieved July 12 2016 Smith Nicole M May 18 2006 Porno Films Provoke Killer The Daily Titan Fullerton California Archived from the original on August 16 2016 Retrieved March 17 2019 Smith Nicole M May 11 2006 The Quiet Custodian Tusk Magazine Fullerton California Archived from the original on November 6 2018 Retrieved March 17 2019 Coordinates 33 52 53 N 117 53 6 W 33 88139 N 117 88500 W 33 88139 117 88500 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title California State University Fullerton massacre amp oldid 1140245993, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
