Carson City IHOP Shooting
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Carson City, Nevada
TIME PERIOD
September 6, 2011
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On September 6, 2011, at approximately 8:57 a.m., a mass shooting occurred at the IHOP located in Carson City, Nevada, when 32-year-old Eduardo Sencion opened fire with a Norinco MAK-90 semi-automatic rifle, killing four individuals, including three members of the National Guard, and wounding seven others. The incident began when Sencion fired a burst of 30 rounds into the air before entering the restaurant and targeting patrons, including a 67-year-old woman and her husband, as well as a group of uniformed guardsmen. Following the shooting spree, Sencion exited the restaurant and continued firing at nearby businesses before fatally shooting himself. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and the case is currently closed following the perpetrator's death. Significant evidence includes the weapon used, which was modified to fire automatically, and eyewitness accounts detailing the rapid sequence of events.
Many believe that Eduardo Sencion's motives for the shooting remain unclear, leading to speculation about potential mental health issues or personal grievances. Some theorize that his choice of victims, particularly targeting members of the National Guard, may suggest a specific vendetta or ideological motivation. Additionally, there are discussions surrounding the accessibility of firearms and the implications of his weapon being modified to fully-automatic, raising concerns about gun control laws and enforcement.
The Carson City IHOP Tragedy: An Unfathomable Morning
The Incident
On the morning of September 6, 2011, the city of Carson City, Nevada, was rocked by a devastating act of violence that unfolded at the local IHOP restaurant. Eduardo Sencion, a 32-year-old man, unleashed a torrent of gunfire that resulted in the deaths of four people, including three members of the National Guard, before turning the gun on himself. Seven others sustained injuries in this brief yet horrific episode.
The Shooting
At precisely 8:56 a.m., Sencion arrived at a strip mall in his blue minivan, a vehicle registered under his brother's name. Moments later, at 8:57:15 a.m., he emerged with a Norinco MAK-90 semi-automatic rifle, which had been illegally modified to fully automatic—a grave violation under the 1934 National Firearms Act. He fired a volley of 30 rounds into the air, reloaded, and entered the IHOP.
Inside, chaos ensued as Sencion moved towards the back of the restaurant. He first targeted a 67-year-old woman, fatally shooting her and wounding her husband. The carnage continued as he aimed at a group of National Guardsmen dining nearby. Five were shot, and three succumbed to their injuries. As Sencion fired indiscriminately, two more patrons were hit, with one enduring severe injuries that led to the amputation of a leg.
Sencion exited the restaurant at 8:58:07 a.m., reloading his rifle as he advanced to the parking lot. There, he shot a woman on a motorcycle at point-blank range. Remarkably, her motorcycle helmet deflected the bullet, sparing her life with only a graze wound. At 8:58:26 a.m., he fired into three adjacent businesses and his own minivan, yet miraculously, no one else was injured.
Ralph Swagler, who owned a nearby restaurant, attempted to intervene with his own firearm but was thwarted by the rapid succession of shots. At 8:58:37 a.m., Sencion ceased firing and returned to his minivan, where it is believed he retrieved a Colt Agent revolver and ended his life between 8:58:40 and 8:58:45 a.m. Police arrived on the scene at 9:06 a.m. and discovered two additional firearms in the van: a Romarm/CUGIR GP WASR-10 rifle and a Glock 26 Gen3 semi-automatic pistol.
In response to the shooting, Nevada officials imposed a lockdown on the state capitol and Supreme Court buildings for approximately 40 minutes as a precautionary measure. Security was heightened at state and military installations throughout northern Nevada.
The Victims
The tragic loss of life included:
- Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67
- Major Heath Kelly, 35, Nevada National Guard
- Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, Nevada National Guard
- Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege, 38, Nevada National Guard
Florence Donovan-Gunderson, Major Heath Kelly, and Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege were pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney succumbed to her injuries later at a local hospital. Sencion, the perpetrator, was pronounced dead three hours after the massacre at Noah J. Medical Center from a self-inflicted wound. Seven other individuals sustained injuries, all from gunfire. Four were rushed to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, with three arriving by helicopter. The others were treated in Carson City, where surgery awaited them. Four were in critical condition, while three had minor injuries. Among the survivors, two were members of the National Guard.
The Perpetrator
Eduardo Sencion, also known as Eduardo Perez-Gonzalez, was born on July 22, 1979, in Mexico and held a valid U.S. passport. He had no criminal record and worked at his family's business in South Lake Tahoe. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at 18, Sencion was not under the influence of antipsychotic medication at the time of the attack. Financial difficulties plagued him, as evidenced by his 2009 bankruptcy filing, listing debts exceeding $42,000. The motive behind his actions remains elusive; law enforcement found no terrorist links or military connections, nor any rationale for targeting National Guardsmen.
Community and Official Reaction
In the aftermath, Nevada Senator Harry Reid expressed his sorrow, commending the professionalism of first responders and extending condolences to the victims and their families. Nevada U.S. Representative Joe Heck and State Senator Ben Kieckhefer echoed these sentiments on social media. Governor Brian Sandoval reassured the public of their safety and ordered flags at half-staff to honor the fallen Guardsmen. In recognition of their service, Master Sergeant Christian Riege and Lieutenant Colonel Heath Kelly received posthumous promotions.
Conclusion
The Carson City IHOP shooting remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of violence. It is a case that not only shook a community but also highlighted the need for continued vigilance and care for those grappling with mental health issues.
Sources
For further details, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Carson City IHOP shooting
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Mass Shooting at IHOP
Eduardo Sencion opens fire in IHOP, killing four and injuring seven before committing suicide.
Victims Identified
Four victims identified: Florence Donovan-Gunderson, Major Heath Kelly, Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, and Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege.
Gunman Found Dead
Eduardo Sencion dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the shooting.
State Lockdown
Nevada officials declare a lockdown on the state capitol and Supreme Court buildings due to the shooting.
Emergency Response
Police and emergency responders arrive on the scene to assist victims and secure the area.
Community Reaction
Local officials and community leaders express condolences and support for the victims' families.
National Guard Honors Victims
The Nevada National Guard holds a memorial service to honor the fallen members killed in the shooting.
Weapon Investigation
Authorities confirm that Sencion's weapon was illegally modified to be fully automatic.
On September 6, 2011, at approximately 8:57 a.m., a mass shooting occurred at the IHOP located in Carson City, Nevada, when 32-year-old Eduardo Sencion opened fire with a Norinco MAK-90 semi-automatic rifle, killing four individuals, including three members of the National Guard, and wounding seven others. The incident began when Sencion fired a burst of 30 rounds into the air before entering the restaurant and targeting patrons, including a 67-year-old woman and her husband, as well as a group of uniformed guardsmen. Following the shooting spree, Sencion exited the restaurant and continued firing at nearby businesses before fatally shooting himself. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and the case is currently closed following the perpetrator's death. Significant evidence includes the weapon used, which was modified to fire automatically, and eyewitness accounts detailing the rapid sequence of events.
Many believe that Eduardo Sencion's motives for the shooting remain unclear, leading to speculation about potential mental health issues or personal grievances. Some theorize that his choice of victims, particularly targeting members of the National Guard, may suggest a specific vendetta or ideological motivation. Additionally, there are discussions surrounding the accessibility of firearms and the implications of his weapon being modified to fully-automatic, raising concerns about gun control laws and enforcement.
The Carson City IHOP Tragedy: An Unfathomable Morning
The Incident
On the morning of September 6, 2011, the city of Carson City, Nevada, was rocked by a devastating act of violence that unfolded at the local IHOP restaurant. Eduardo Sencion, a 32-year-old man, unleashed a torrent of gunfire that resulted in the deaths of four people, including three members of the National Guard, before turning the gun on himself. Seven others sustained injuries in this brief yet horrific episode.
The Shooting
At precisely 8:56 a.m., Sencion arrived at a strip mall in his blue minivan, a vehicle registered under his brother's name. Moments later, at 8:57:15 a.m., he emerged with a Norinco MAK-90 semi-automatic rifle, which had been illegally modified to fully automatic—a grave violation under the 1934 National Firearms Act. He fired a volley of 30 rounds into the air, reloaded, and entered the IHOP.
Inside, chaos ensued as Sencion moved towards the back of the restaurant. He first targeted a 67-year-old woman, fatally shooting her and wounding her husband. The carnage continued as he aimed at a group of National Guardsmen dining nearby. Five were shot, and three succumbed to their injuries. As Sencion fired indiscriminately, two more patrons were hit, with one enduring severe injuries that led to the amputation of a leg.
Sencion exited the restaurant at 8:58:07 a.m., reloading his rifle as he advanced to the parking lot. There, he shot a woman on a motorcycle at point-blank range. Remarkably, her motorcycle helmet deflected the bullet, sparing her life with only a graze wound. At 8:58:26 a.m., he fired into three adjacent businesses and his own minivan, yet miraculously, no one else was injured.
Ralph Swagler, who owned a nearby restaurant, attempted to intervene with his own firearm but was thwarted by the rapid succession of shots. At 8:58:37 a.m., Sencion ceased firing and returned to his minivan, where it is believed he retrieved a Colt Agent revolver and ended his life between 8:58:40 and 8:58:45 a.m. Police arrived on the scene at 9:06 a.m. and discovered two additional firearms in the van: a Romarm/CUGIR GP WASR-10 rifle and a Glock 26 Gen3 semi-automatic pistol.
In response to the shooting, Nevada officials imposed a lockdown on the state capitol and Supreme Court buildings for approximately 40 minutes as a precautionary measure. Security was heightened at state and military installations throughout northern Nevada.
The Victims
The tragic loss of life included:
- Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67
- Major Heath Kelly, 35, Nevada National Guard
- Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, Nevada National Guard
- Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege, 38, Nevada National Guard
Florence Donovan-Gunderson, Major Heath Kelly, and Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege were pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney succumbed to her injuries later at a local hospital. Sencion, the perpetrator, was pronounced dead three hours after the massacre at Noah J. Medical Center from a self-inflicted wound. Seven other individuals sustained injuries, all from gunfire. Four were rushed to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, with three arriving by helicopter. The others were treated in Carson City, where surgery awaited them. Four were in critical condition, while three had minor injuries. Among the survivors, two were members of the National Guard.
The Perpetrator
Eduardo Sencion, also known as Eduardo Perez-Gonzalez, was born on July 22, 1979, in Mexico and held a valid U.S. passport. He had no criminal record and worked at his family's business in South Lake Tahoe. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at 18, Sencion was not under the influence of antipsychotic medication at the time of the attack. Financial difficulties plagued him, as evidenced by his 2009 bankruptcy filing, listing debts exceeding $42,000. The motive behind his actions remains elusive; law enforcement found no terrorist links or military connections, nor any rationale for targeting National Guardsmen.
Community and Official Reaction
In the aftermath, Nevada Senator Harry Reid expressed his sorrow, commending the professionalism of first responders and extending condolences to the victims and their families. Nevada U.S. Representative Joe Heck and State Senator Ben Kieckhefer echoed these sentiments on social media. Governor Brian Sandoval reassured the public of their safety and ordered flags at half-staff to honor the fallen Guardsmen. In recognition of their service, Master Sergeant Christian Riege and Lieutenant Colonel Heath Kelly received posthumous promotions.
Conclusion
The Carson City IHOP shooting remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of violence. It is a case that not only shook a community but also highlighted the need for continued vigilance and care for those grappling with mental health issues.
Sources
For further details, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Carson City IHOP 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...
Mass Shooting at IHOP
Eduardo Sencion opens fire in IHOP, killing four and injuring seven before committing suicide.
Victims Identified
Four victims identified: Florence Donovan-Gunderson, Major Heath Kelly, Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, and Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege.
Gunman Found Dead
Eduardo Sencion dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the shooting.
State Lockdown
Nevada officials declare a lockdown on the state capitol and Supreme Court buildings due to the shooting.
Emergency Response
Police and emergency responders arrive on the scene to assist victims and secure the area.
Community Reaction
Local officials and community leaders express condolences and support for the victims' families.
National Guard Honors Victims
The Nevada National Guard holds a memorial service to honor the fallen members killed in the shooting.
Weapon Investigation
Authorities confirm that Sencion's weapon was illegally modified to be fully automatic.