1977 Klamath Falls Nightclub Shooting
1977 Nightclub Mass Shooting
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Klamath Falls, Oregon
TIME PERIOD
July 23, 1977
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
On July 23, 1977, at approximately 12:15 a.m., a mass shooting occurred at Uncle Albert's Lounge in Klamath Falls, Oregon, when 26-year-old DeWitt Henry opened fire with a Colt AR-15 Sporter semi-automatic rifle following an argument over a bar bill. The incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including a pregnant woman, and left two others injured. Henry, an unemployed truck driver and former bouncer at the club, was apprehended after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement. He was later tried in November 1979, found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, and sentenced to six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The case remains a significant event in the history of mass shootings in the United States.
Investigators and the public speculate that DeWitt Henry's history of violence, including a prior conviction for negligent homicide, may have contributed to his decision to carry out the shooting. Some believe that the argument with Bill Ransom was a triggering event, leading Henry to retaliate violently. There are also theories suggesting that Henry's prior experience as a bouncer at the nightclub may have influenced his choice of target and method.
The 1977 Klamath Falls Nightclub Shooting: A Tragic Night in Oregon
A Night of Terror
On a late summer night, July 23, 1977, the quiet town of Klamath Falls, Oregon, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. At precisely 12:15 a.m., chaos erupted at Uncle Albert's Lounge, a local nightclub located at 5711 S. Sixth St. DeWitt Henry, a 26-year-old unemployed truck driver, unleashed unspeakable violence with a Colt AR-15 Sporter semi-automatic rifle. By the time the smoke cleared, six people had lost their lives, including an unborn child, and two others were injured.
The Perpetrator
DeWitt Henry's path to that fateful night began long before he set foot in Klamath Falls. Born in Bakersfield, California, he was adopted as an infant by Andrea and Dewitt Henry. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 230 pounds, Henry had once worked as a bouncer at the very establishment he would later attack. Despite his imposing stature, he was unemployed at the time of the shooting, with a prior conviction for negligent homicide shadowing his past.
The Attack Unfolds
The evening's tension boiled over from a seemingly innocuous argument. Henry clashed with Bill Ransom over a bar bill, an altercation that escalated when Ransom struck him. In an eerie calm before the storm, Henry told James Williamson, the dishwasher at the club, "I always liked you – just get on out of here." Williamson heeded the warning and left, but moments later, Henry opened fire inside the club. His merciless attack claimed the lives of six individuals, including a pregnant woman. The bloodshed did not end there; Henry also targeted two state troopers in a gunfight before they managed to subdue and arrest him.
The Victims
The victims of this horrifying event were more than just names on a list; they were beloved members of their communities:
- Robert Dale Seater, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Carrol Ann Seater, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Michael Mortensen, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Gary Lee Anderson, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Andrew Walker, of Medford, Oregon
- James Trueman, of Kodiak, Alaska
The Trial and Imprisonment
Justice came swiftly for DeWitt Charles Henry. In November 1979, he stood trial in the Multnomah County Circuit Court. His defense hinged on a plea of not guilty by reason of a "mental defect." However, the jury was not convinced. They found Henry guilty on six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Due to the absence of capital punishment in Oregon at the time, Henry was spared the death penalty but received six consecutive life sentences instead.
For years, Henry remained incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary without the possibility of parole. By July 2025, he had been relocated to the Snake River Correctional Institution, a medium-security facility. At the age of 74, he was described as standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 459 pounds.
A Legacy of Sorrow
The 1977 Klamath Falls nightclub shooting left an indelible mark on the community and the state of Oregon. It stands alongside other tragic events in the region's history, such as the 1981 Salem shooting and the 1998 Thurston High School shooting, as a grim reminder of the potential for violence that lurks beneath the surface of everyday life.
Sources
For more information, visit the original Wikipedia page: 1977 Klamath Falls nightclub shooting.
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Nightclub Shooting
DeWitt Henry opens fire at Uncle Albert's Lounge, killing six people.
Perpetrator Arrested
DeWitt Henry is arrested after a gunfight with state troopers.
Trial Begins
DeWitt Henry's trial starts in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Guilty Verdict
Henry is found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Sentencing
Henry is sentenced to six consecutive life sentences without parole.
Incarceration Update
Henry is reported to be incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary.
Current Status
Henry is noted to be incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution.
On July 23, 1977, at approximately 12:15 a.m., a mass shooting occurred at Uncle Albert's Lounge in Klamath Falls, Oregon, when 26-year-old DeWitt Henry opened fire with a Colt AR-15 Sporter semi-automatic rifle following an argument over a bar bill. The incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including a pregnant woman, and left two others injured. Henry, an unemployed truck driver and former bouncer at the club, was apprehended after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement. He was later tried in November 1979, found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, and sentenced to six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The case remains a significant event in the history of mass shootings in the United States.
Investigators and the public speculate that DeWitt Henry's history of violence, including a prior conviction for negligent homicide, may have contributed to his decision to carry out the shooting. Some believe that the argument with Bill Ransom was a triggering event, leading Henry to retaliate violently. There are also theories suggesting that Henry's prior experience as a bouncer at the nightclub may have influenced his choice of target and method.
The 1977 Klamath Falls Nightclub Shooting: A Tragic Night in Oregon
A Night of Terror
On a late summer night, July 23, 1977, the quiet town of Klamath Falls, Oregon, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. At precisely 12:15 a.m., chaos erupted at Uncle Albert's Lounge, a local nightclub located at 5711 S. Sixth St. DeWitt Henry, a 26-year-old unemployed truck driver, unleashed unspeakable violence with a Colt AR-15 Sporter semi-automatic rifle. By the time the smoke cleared, six people had lost their lives, including an unborn child, and two others were injured.
The Perpetrator
DeWitt Henry's path to that fateful night began long before he set foot in Klamath Falls. Born in Bakersfield, California, he was adopted as an infant by Andrea and Dewitt Henry. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 230 pounds, Henry had once worked as a bouncer at the very establishment he would later attack. Despite his imposing stature, he was unemployed at the time of the shooting, with a prior conviction for negligent homicide shadowing his past.
The Attack Unfolds
The evening's tension boiled over from a seemingly innocuous argument. Henry clashed with Bill Ransom over a bar bill, an altercation that escalated when Ransom struck him. In an eerie calm before the storm, Henry told James Williamson, the dishwasher at the club, "I always liked you – just get on out of here." Williamson heeded the warning and left, but moments later, Henry opened fire inside the club. His merciless attack claimed the lives of six individuals, including a pregnant woman. The bloodshed did not end there; Henry also targeted two state troopers in a gunfight before they managed to subdue and arrest him.
The Victims
The victims of this horrifying event were more than just names on a list; they were beloved members of their communities:
- Robert Dale Seater, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Carrol Ann Seater, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Michael Mortensen, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Gary Lee Anderson, of Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Andrew Walker, of Medford, Oregon
- James Trueman, of Kodiak, Alaska
The Trial and Imprisonment
Justice came swiftly for DeWitt Charles Henry. In November 1979, he stood trial in the Multnomah County Circuit Court. His defense hinged on a plea of not guilty by reason of a "mental defect." However, the jury was not convinced. They found Henry guilty on six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Due to the absence of capital punishment in Oregon at the time, Henry was spared the death penalty but received six consecutive life sentences instead.
For years, Henry remained incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary without the possibility of parole. By July 2025, he had been relocated to the Snake River Correctional Institution, a medium-security facility. At the age of 74, he was described as standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 459 pounds.
A Legacy of Sorrow
The 1977 Klamath Falls nightclub shooting left an indelible mark on the community and the state of Oregon. It stands alongside other tragic events in the region's history, such as the 1981 Salem shooting and the 1998 Thurston High School shooting, as a grim reminder of the potential for violence that lurks beneath the surface of everyday life.
Sources
For more information, visit the original Wikipedia page: 1977 Klamath Falls nightclub shooting.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Nightclub Shooting
DeWitt Henry opens fire at Uncle Albert's Lounge, killing six people.
Perpetrator Arrested
DeWitt Henry is arrested after a gunfight with state troopers.
Trial Begins
DeWitt Henry's trial starts in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Guilty Verdict
Henry is found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Sentencing
Henry is sentenced to six consecutive life sentences without parole.
Incarceration Update
Henry is reported to be incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary.
Current Status
Henry is noted to be incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution.