Edward Charles Allaway
Mass Shooting at University
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Fullerton, California
TIME PERIOD
July 12, 1976
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
The California State University, Fullerton massacre occurred on July 12, 1976, when custodian Edward Charles Allaway, armed with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, opened fire in the university library, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to two others. The attack began shortly before 7 AM, with Allaway targeting victims in both the library's first-floor lobby and the basement's Instructional Media Center. Allaway, who had a documented history of mental illness and was later deemed insane, fled the scene and called the police from a nearby hotel, confessing to the shootings. He was subsequently apprehended, convicted, and initially committed to Patton State Hospital for treatment, later transferred to Napa State Hospital in 2016. Significant evidence includes eyewitness accounts of the shooting and Allaway's own confession, which highlighted his unstable mental state at the time of the incident.
Edward Charles Allaway's history of mental illness and violent behavior has led to speculation that his condition significantly influenced the massacre, with some theorizing that untreated paranoid schizophrenia contributed to his actions. Additionally, discussions around the accessibility of firearms and the societal context of the 1970s have sparked debates about gun control and mental health awareness in relation to mass shootings. Some believe that Allaway's motivations may have been linked to personal grievances or a sense of alienation from the university community.
The 1976 California State University, Fullerton Massacre
A Day of Tragedy
On the morning of July 12, 1976, the serenity of California State University, Fullerton, was shattered by an act of violence that would haunt Orange County for decades. Edward Charles Allaway, a 37-year-old custodian with a troubled past, unleashed terror on the campus, claiming the lives of seven people and injuring two others. This horrific event remained the deadliest mass murder in the county until 2011.
The Perpetrator: Edward Charles Allaway
Edward Charles Allaway, born in 1939, had a history marred by violence and mental illness. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Allaway's mental health issues were well-documented. Prior to the shooting, a jury convicted him, but a judge later deemed him insane, leading to his confinement at Patton State Hospital for psychiatric treatment. By 2016, at the age of 77, Allaway was transferred to Napa State Hospital, a less secure facility, a move that sparked protests from the victims' families.
The Events Unfold
The day began like any other for the staff and students at the university, unaware of the impending tragedy. Allaway, armed with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle he had purchased from a Kmart in Buena Park, began his rampage shortly before 7 a.m. in the library's first-floor lobby and the Instructional Media Center (IMC) in the basement.
Witnesses described the gunfire as resembling the rapid-fire of a machine gun in a movie, while others likened it to a series of "popping" sounds. In the chaos, Allaway pursued and killed Deborah Paulsen and Donald Karges. Bruce Jacobson, attempting to take down Allaway with a metal statue, also fell victim. Allaway then targeted Seth Fessenden and Paul Herzberg before descending in a service elevator to the first floor, where he shot Frank Teplansky and left a visiting high school student unscathed. His final victim, Stephen Becker, was shot before Allaway ran out of ammunition.
An eyewitness, part of a high school program, recounted seeing an agitated Allaway during the attack. Allaway reportedly aimed his rifle at the witness and another counselor, only to lower it and flee, continuing his deadly spree elsewhere.
The Aftermath
After the carnage, Allaway fled to the Hilton Inn Hotel in Anaheim, where his former wife worked. It was there he called the police, confessing, "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."
Lives Lost
The massacre claimed the lives of Paul Herzberg, 30; Bruce Jacobson, 32; Donald Karges, 41; Deborah Paulsen, 25; Seth Fessenden, 72; Frank Teplansky, 51; and Stephen Becker, 32. Those injured included Maynard Hoffman, 64, and Donald Keran, 55.
Delving into Allaway's Mind
Allaway's troubled mind had been on display long before the massacre. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, he had attempted suicide and undergone treatment, including electroconvulsive therapy. His mental health issues were compounded by violent behavior, including injuring a co-worker at a Michigan plant and threatening his wife with a knife. His delusions extended to a belief that pornographers were coercing his wife into appearing in films, a paranoia that contributed to their separation and her subsequent filing for divorce.
During the trial, Allaway's defense alleged that library staff screened pornographic movies before the library opened, although his wife was not involved. Ultimately, Allaway was found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder, but he was declared legally insane, leading to his indefinite commitment to the state mental hospital system.
Legal Proceedings and Controversy
In 1977, a jury convicted Allaway of murder, yet deadlocked on the sanity phase. A judge then ruled him not guilty by reason of insanity, requiring his confinement until deemed sane. Over the years, Allaway's attempts for release from Patton State Hospital were repeatedly denied. In 2009, hospital officials considered him asymptomatic and recommended his release, a proposal met with fierce opposition from the district attorney and the governor, leading to its withdrawal.
The father of victim Stephen Becker, who was the university's founding dean of students, consistently voiced his opposition to Allaway's potential release. In 2016, amidst family protests, Allaway was transferred to Napa State Hospital.
A Community Remembers
Forty years after the tragedy, survivors and families of the victims gathered in July 2016 for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost and the indelible impact the massacre left on the community.
Sources
For further information, please refer to the Wikipedia article.
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Mass Shooting at CSUF
Edward Charles Allaway opens fire, killing seven and injuring two at California State University, Fullerton.
Allaway Surrenders
After the shooting, Allaway flees to a nearby hotel and calls police to report his actions, offering to surrender.
Trial Begins
Edward Allaway's trial begins, where he is convicted of six counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.
Insanity Verdict
Allaway is found not guilty by reason of insanity and is committed to a mental institution.
Transfer to Napa State
Allaway is transferred from Patton State Hospital to Napa State Hospital.
40th Anniversary Vigil
Survivors and families of victims commemorate the 40th anniversary of the massacre with a candlelight vigil.
The California State University, Fullerton massacre occurred on July 12, 1976, when custodian Edward Charles Allaway, armed with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, opened fire in the university library, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to two others. The attack began shortly before 7 AM, with Allaway targeting victims in both the library's first-floor lobby and the basement's Instructional Media Center. Allaway, who had a documented history of mental illness and was later deemed insane, fled the scene and called the police from a nearby hotel, confessing to the shootings. He was subsequently apprehended, convicted, and initially committed to Patton State Hospital for treatment, later transferred to Napa State Hospital in 2016. Significant evidence includes eyewitness accounts of the shooting and Allaway's own confession, which highlighted his unstable mental state at the time of the incident.
Edward Charles Allaway's history of mental illness and violent behavior has led to speculation that his condition significantly influenced the massacre, with some theorizing that untreated paranoid schizophrenia contributed to his actions. Additionally, discussions around the accessibility of firearms and the societal context of the 1970s have sparked debates about gun control and mental health awareness in relation to mass shootings. Some believe that Allaway's motivations may have been linked to personal grievances or a sense of alienation from the university community.
The 1976 California State University, Fullerton Massacre
A Day of Tragedy
On the morning of July 12, 1976, the serenity of California State University, Fullerton, was shattered by an act of violence that would haunt Orange County for decades. Edward Charles Allaway, a 37-year-old custodian with a troubled past, unleashed terror on the campus, claiming the lives of seven people and injuring two others. This horrific event remained the deadliest mass murder in the county until 2011.
The Perpetrator: Edward Charles Allaway
Edward Charles Allaway, born in 1939, had a history marred by violence and mental illness. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Allaway's mental health issues were well-documented. Prior to the shooting, a jury convicted him, but a judge later deemed him insane, leading to his confinement at Patton State Hospital for psychiatric treatment. By 2016, at the age of 77, Allaway was transferred to Napa State Hospital, a less secure facility, a move that sparked protests from the victims' families.
The Events Unfold
The day began like any other for the staff and students at the university, unaware of the impending tragedy. Allaway, armed with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle he had purchased from a Kmart in Buena Park, began his rampage shortly before 7 a.m. in the library's first-floor lobby and the Instructional Media Center (IMC) in the basement.
Witnesses described the gunfire as resembling the rapid-fire of a machine gun in a movie, while others likened it to a series of "popping" sounds. In the chaos, Allaway pursued and killed Deborah Paulsen and Donald Karges. Bruce Jacobson, attempting to take down Allaway with a metal statue, also fell victim. Allaway then targeted Seth Fessenden and Paul Herzberg before descending in a service elevator to the first floor, where he shot Frank Teplansky and left a visiting high school student unscathed. His final victim, Stephen Becker, was shot before Allaway ran out of ammunition.
An eyewitness, part of a high school program, recounted seeing an agitated Allaway during the attack. Allaway reportedly aimed his rifle at the witness and another counselor, only to lower it and flee, continuing his deadly spree elsewhere.
The Aftermath
After the carnage, Allaway fled to the Hilton Inn Hotel in Anaheim, where his former wife worked. It was there he called the police, confessing, "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."
Lives Lost
The massacre claimed the lives of Paul Herzberg, 30; Bruce Jacobson, 32; Donald Karges, 41; Deborah Paulsen, 25; Seth Fessenden, 72; Frank Teplansky, 51; and Stephen Becker, 32. Those injured included Maynard Hoffman, 64, and Donald Keran, 55.
Delving into Allaway's Mind
Allaway's troubled mind had been on display long before the massacre. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, he had attempted suicide and undergone treatment, including electroconvulsive therapy. His mental health issues were compounded by violent behavior, including injuring a co-worker at a Michigan plant and threatening his wife with a knife. His delusions extended to a belief that pornographers were coercing his wife into appearing in films, a paranoia that contributed to their separation and her subsequent filing for divorce.
During the trial, Allaway's defense alleged that library staff screened pornographic movies before the library opened, although his wife was not involved. Ultimately, Allaway was found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder, but he was declared legally insane, leading to his indefinite commitment to the state mental hospital system.
Legal Proceedings and Controversy
In 1977, a jury convicted Allaway of murder, yet deadlocked on the sanity phase. A judge then ruled him not guilty by reason of insanity, requiring his confinement until deemed sane. Over the years, Allaway's attempts for release from Patton State Hospital were repeatedly denied. In 2009, hospital officials considered him asymptomatic and recommended his release, a proposal met with fierce opposition from the district attorney and the governor, leading to its withdrawal.
The father of victim Stephen Becker, who was the university's founding dean of students, consistently voiced his opposition to Allaway's potential release. In 2016, amidst family protests, Allaway was transferred to Napa State Hospital.
A Community Remembers
Forty years after the tragedy, survivors and families of the victims gathered in July 2016 for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost and the indelible impact the massacre left on the community.
Sources
For further information, please refer to the Wikipedia article.
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 CSUF
Edward Charles Allaway opens fire, killing seven and injuring two at California State University, Fullerton.
Allaway Surrenders
After the shooting, Allaway flees to a nearby hotel and calls police to report his actions, offering to surrender.
Trial Begins
Edward Allaway's trial begins, where he is convicted of six counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.
Insanity Verdict
Allaway is found not guilty by reason of insanity and is committed to a mental institution.
Transfer to Napa State
Allaway is transferred from Patton State Hospital to Napa State Hospital.
40th Anniversary Vigil
Survivors and families of victims commemorate the 40th anniversary of the massacre with a candlelight vigil.