James Edward Pough
Spree Killing Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Jacksonville, Florida
TIME PERIOD
June 17-18, 1990
VICTIMS
13 confirmed
On June 17 and 18, 1990, James Edward Pough, a 42-year-old day laborer, committed a series of violent attacks in Jacksonville, Florida, resulting in the deaths of eleven individuals, including himself. The first incident occurred on June 17, when Pough shot and killed two random victims and wounded two teenagers during a robbery at a convenience store. The following day, he entered a General Motors Acceptance Corporation office and fatally shot nine people while injuring four others before taking his own life. Pough's actions marked the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in Florida history at that time. Significant evidence includes the firearms used in the attacks, a Röhm RG-31 .38-caliber revolver and a Universal M1 Carbine, which were recovered at the crime scenes. The investigation revealed Pough's motive stemmed from personal and financial stress, exacerbated by a history of mental health issues.
James Edward Pough's actions are often theorized to stem from a combination of personal and financial stress, with many believing that his deep-seated depression played a significant role in his violent outburst. Additionally, some speculate that his childhood experiences, including a troubled family life and health issues, contributed to his mental state leading up to the spree. There is also speculation about the randomness of his victims, as he targeted individuals without apparent motive during his attacks.
The Tragic Tale of James Edward Pough: A Descent into Madness
In the humid streets of Jacksonville, Florida, a quiet man named James Edward Pough etched his name in infamy through a series of brutal and senseless killings. On the nights of June 17 and 18, 1990, Pough embarked on a killing spree that claimed eleven lives and left a community reeling from the shock. His story is a haunting reminder of how personal despair and rage can culminate in unspeakable violence.
A Troubled Beginning
James Edward "Pop" Pough was born on February 16, 1948, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the first of nine children in a family that would soon face hardship. In 1959, Pough's father abandoned the family, leaving his mother to raise the children alone. Pough, who suffered from asthma, developed a close bond with his mother, often helping her manage the household. Despite this, his academic life faltered, leading him to drop out of vocational school in his sophomore year. By age 18, he was working as a common laborer, a path he would follow until his tragic end.
Encounters with the Law
Pough's early years were marred by brushes with the law. Friends from his school days recalled his associations with street gangs. Between 1965 and 1969, he was arrested multiple times for offenses ranging from vagrancy to attempted robbery, assault, and gambling. In 1970, he faced charges of motor vehicle theft and vagrancy-prowling, though he was not prosecuted.
The 1971 Tragedy
The turning point in Pough's life came on May 8, 1971, when an argument with his best friend, David Lee Pender, turned deadly. Pender had insulted Pough's girlfriend, sparking a scuffle that ended with Pough shooting Pender three times with a .38-caliber revolver. Pender succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Charged initially with murder, Pough's charge was ultimately reduced to manslaughter, and he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, receiving a sentence of five years probation.
Downward Spiral
Pough's life continued to unravel. Legal troubles persisted, including court appearances for bad debt in 1977 and an outstanding warrant for employment compensation fraud in 1982. The loss of his mother three years before the shootings further destabilized him emotionally. His marriage to Theresa crumbled amid violent outbursts, including two incidents where he threatened her with a gun. By January 1990, they had separated, and Theresa secured an injunction forbidding Pough from contacting her for a year.
The 1990 Killing Spree Begins
On the night of June 17, 1990, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Pough began his rampage. Armed with a blanket-wrapped M1 Carbine, he approached a group of men on a street corner and fatally shot Louis Carl Bacon. Minutes later, he ran down Doretta Drake with his car, then executed her with a single shot to the head. His night of terror continued with the wounding of two teenagers after asking them for directions.
The next morning, Pough robbed a convenience store, declaring he had nothing to lose. He then visited his mother's grave before making a chilling call to his supervisor, claiming he wouldn't be coming to work because he had something else to do.
The GMAC Massacre
At around 10:44 a.m. on June 18, Pough arrived at the General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) office on Baymeadows Way. Armed with his M1 Carbine and a Röhm RG-31 .38-caliber revolver, Pough entered the building and unleashed a barrage of bullets, methodically shooting employees and customers alike. In a span of two minutes, he fired at least 28 rounds, killing nine and wounding four others before turning the gun on himself.
Aftermath and Investigation
Police searching Pough's vehicle found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, magazines, ammunition, and mysterious nylon ropes, hinting at a possible plan to take hostages. His home was in disarray, and a calendar highlighted the dates of his friend's murder and the day of the GMAC shooting, suggesting a premeditated act.
The Victims
Pough's rampage left a trail of devastation. Among the dead were Louis Carl Bacon and Doretta Elaine Drake, along with GMAC employees and customers, including Julia Ann Burgess, Drew Winston Woods, Cynthia Leigh Perry, and others. Jewel Louise Belote succumbed to her injuries nine days after the shooting.
A Community in Mourning
The massacre at the GMAC office stood as Florida's deadliest single mass shooting by a lone gunman until the 2016 Orlando nightclub tragedy. Pough's actions sparked calls for gun control and left a permanent scar on the Jacksonville community.
Sources
For further reading and details on this tragic event, please visit Wikipedia's article on James Edward Pough.
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First Murder Committed
James Pough kills his friend David Lee Pender during an argument.
Financial Troubles Begin
Pough's car is repossessed due to unpaid bills, leading to increased stress.
First Attacks
Pough kills Louis Carl Bacon and Doretta Drake, injures two teenagers.
GMAC Shooting
Pough enters GMAC office, kills 8 and injures 6 before committing suicide.
Tenth Victim Dies
Jewel Louise Belote succumbs to injuries from the GMAC shooting.
On June 17 and 18, 1990, James Edward Pough, a 42-year-old day laborer, committed a series of violent attacks in Jacksonville, Florida, resulting in the deaths of eleven individuals, including himself. The first incident occurred on June 17, when Pough shot and killed two random victims and wounded two teenagers during a robbery at a convenience store. The following day, he entered a General Motors Acceptance Corporation office and fatally shot nine people while injuring four others before taking his own life. Pough's actions marked the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in Florida history at that time. Significant evidence includes the firearms used in the attacks, a Röhm RG-31 .38-caliber revolver and a Universal M1 Carbine, which were recovered at the crime scenes. The investigation revealed Pough's motive stemmed from personal and financial stress, exacerbated by a history of mental health issues.
James Edward Pough's actions are often theorized to stem from a combination of personal and financial stress, with many believing that his deep-seated depression played a significant role in his violent outburst. Additionally, some speculate that his childhood experiences, including a troubled family life and health issues, contributed to his mental state leading up to the spree. There is also speculation about the randomness of his victims, as he targeted individuals without apparent motive during his attacks.
The Tragic Tale of James Edward Pough: A Descent into Madness
In the humid streets of Jacksonville, Florida, a quiet man named James Edward Pough etched his name in infamy through a series of brutal and senseless killings. On the nights of June 17 and 18, 1990, Pough embarked on a killing spree that claimed eleven lives and left a community reeling from the shock. His story is a haunting reminder of how personal despair and rage can culminate in unspeakable violence.
A Troubled Beginning
James Edward "Pop" Pough was born on February 16, 1948, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the first of nine children in a family that would soon face hardship. In 1959, Pough's father abandoned the family, leaving his mother to raise the children alone. Pough, who suffered from asthma, developed a close bond with his mother, often helping her manage the household. Despite this, his academic life faltered, leading him to drop out of vocational school in his sophomore year. By age 18, he was working as a common laborer, a path he would follow until his tragic end.
Encounters with the Law
Pough's early years were marred by brushes with the law. Friends from his school days recalled his associations with street gangs. Between 1965 and 1969, he was arrested multiple times for offenses ranging from vagrancy to attempted robbery, assault, and gambling. In 1970, he faced charges of motor vehicle theft and vagrancy-prowling, though he was not prosecuted.
The 1971 Tragedy
The turning point in Pough's life came on May 8, 1971, when an argument with his best friend, David Lee Pender, turned deadly. Pender had insulted Pough's girlfriend, sparking a scuffle that ended with Pough shooting Pender three times with a .38-caliber revolver. Pender succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Charged initially with murder, Pough's charge was ultimately reduced to manslaughter, and he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, receiving a sentence of five years probation.
Downward Spiral
Pough's life continued to unravel. Legal troubles persisted, including court appearances for bad debt in 1977 and an outstanding warrant for employment compensation fraud in 1982. The loss of his mother three years before the shootings further destabilized him emotionally. His marriage to Theresa crumbled amid violent outbursts, including two incidents where he threatened her with a gun. By January 1990, they had separated, and Theresa secured an injunction forbidding Pough from contacting her for a year.
The 1990 Killing Spree Begins
On the night of June 17, 1990, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Pough began his rampage. Armed with a blanket-wrapped M1 Carbine, he approached a group of men on a street corner and fatally shot Louis Carl Bacon. Minutes later, he ran down Doretta Drake with his car, then executed her with a single shot to the head. His night of terror continued with the wounding of two teenagers after asking them for directions.
The next morning, Pough robbed a convenience store, declaring he had nothing to lose. He then visited his mother's grave before making a chilling call to his supervisor, claiming he wouldn't be coming to work because he had something else to do.
The GMAC Massacre
At around 10:44 a.m. on June 18, Pough arrived at the General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) office on Baymeadows Way. Armed with his M1 Carbine and a Röhm RG-31 .38-caliber revolver, Pough entered the building and unleashed a barrage of bullets, methodically shooting employees and customers alike. In a span of two minutes, he fired at least 28 rounds, killing nine and wounding four others before turning the gun on himself.
Aftermath and Investigation
Police searching Pough's vehicle found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, magazines, ammunition, and mysterious nylon ropes, hinting at a possible plan to take hostages. His home was in disarray, and a calendar highlighted the dates of his friend's murder and the day of the GMAC shooting, suggesting a premeditated act.
The Victims
Pough's rampage left a trail of devastation. Among the dead were Louis Carl Bacon and Doretta Elaine Drake, along with GMAC employees and customers, including Julia Ann Burgess, Drew Winston Woods, Cynthia Leigh Perry, and others. Jewel Louise Belote succumbed to her injuries nine days after the shooting.
A Community in Mourning
The massacre at the GMAC office stood as Florida's deadliest single mass shooting by a lone gunman until the 2016 Orlando nightclub tragedy. Pough's actions sparked calls for gun control and left a permanent scar on the Jacksonville community.
Sources
For further reading and details on this tragic event, please visit Wikipedia's article on James Edward Pough.
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...
First Murder Committed
James Pough kills his friend David Lee Pender during an argument.
Financial Troubles Begin
Pough's car is repossessed due to unpaid bills, leading to increased stress.
First Attacks
Pough kills Louis Carl Bacon and Doretta Drake, injures two teenagers.
GMAC Shooting
Pough enters GMAC office, kills 8 and injures 6 before committing suicide.
Tenth Victim Dies
Jewel Louise Belote succumbs to injuries from the GMAC shooting.