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96 Minutes Behind The Scope

America has changed greatly over the last few decades in the way it reacts to certain crimes and tragedies. Charles Joseph Whitman was one of the first people to commit the now not-so-uncommon "killing spree." Americans at the time didn't know how to react other than being shocked and horrified. Today when we hear about similar incidents they will be in the news for a few days then disappear behind the next big headline. People will be saddened of course, but not necessarily shocked. It is has almost become accepted that this is now a common way for people to commit murder. Charles Whitman's mass murder had a huge impact on the entire nation and introduced a new and common method of killing for the second half of the century.
On August 1st, 1966 Whitman entered the 27-story bell tower at the University of Texas with an arsenal of weapons which he pulled behind him on a two-wheeled dolly. No one suspected him of the actions he was about to take. He appeared to be a simple janitor or maintenance worker in his blue coveralls. His first victim of the day, Edna Townsley, was the receptionist working on the observation deck for the morning. Whitman hit her over the head with a hard object, apparently the butt of one of the rifles, and knocked her unconscious (Macleod 5). She would be dead within a few hours. After partially concealing Edna's body a man and woman entered the receptionist area after viewing the observation deck. Whitman let them get into the elevator and exit to safety without any confrontation. Charles barricaded himself on the observation deck by blocking the door with a desk. A group of six people arrived at the blocked door and two pushed the desk to see what was happening. Charles fired
a shotgun numerous times at the group killing his second and third victims of the day and wounding two others.
Throughout the tower alarms were sounding and people became aware of the danger above them. Whitman blocked the door leading outside to the...