James Huberty
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
San Ysidro, San Diego, California
TIME PERIOD
July 18, 1984
VICTIMS
23 confirmed
On July 18, 1984, at approximately 4:00 PM, James Huberty, a 41-year-old man, entered a McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, San Diego, California, and opened fire with a 9mm Browning HP, a 9mm Uzi carbine, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Over the course of 77 minutes, he killed 22 individuals, including an unborn child, and injured 19 others before being shot and killed by a police sniper at 5:17 PM. The incident, which remains the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history, was marked by Huberty's apparent mental health struggles leading up to the attack, including a failed attempt to seek help two days prior. The case is currently closed, with no further legal action pending against the deceased perpetrator.
James Huberty's actions during the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre are theorized to have stemmed from a combination of mental health issues, rage, and possible suicidal ideation. Some speculate that his comments about having a mental health problem prior to the incident indicate a deeper psychological struggle that may have contributed to his violent outburst. Additionally, there is speculation about whether the event was a form of revenge or a manifestation of his frustrations with society.
The San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre: A Day of Tragedy
On July 18, 1984, a quiet afternoon in the San Ysidro neighborhood of San Diego, California, turned into a scene of unspeakable horror. It was at a local McDonald's restaurant where 41-year-old James Huberty unleashed a torrent of violence, leading to one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. By the end of his rampage, 22 people lay dead, including an unborn child, and 19 others were wounded. The massacre continued until a police sniper ended Huberty's life, 77 minutes after his first shot.
Prelude to Tragedy
James Huberty's path to infamy began days before the massacre. On July 15, 1984, Huberty expressed to his wife, Etna, his suspicion that he was suffering from a mental health issue. By July 17, he reached out to a San Diego mental health clinic seeking help. He left his contact details with the receptionist, who promised a call back within a few hours. Huberty waited, but the call never came. Due to a spelling error, his name was logged incorrectly as "Shouberty," and because he did not present as an immediate threat, his call was categorized as non-urgent. This oversight meant the call was not prioritized, and Huberty was left without the help he sought.
Later that day, Huberty returned home in an unusually good mood, ate dinner, and spent the evening with his family, cycling to a nearby park and watching a movie with his wife. The next morning, July 18, began like any other. Huberty and his family visited the San Diego Zoo, where he ominously remarked to Etna that society had missed its chance to help him.
After returning home from a lunch at a McDonald's in Clairemont, Huberty changed into a maroon T-shirt and green camouflage slacks. He approached Etna with a chilling farewell, stating he was "going hunting... hunting for humans." Carrying a gun, ammunition, and a blanket-wrapped bundle, he bade a final goodbye to his daughter Zelia, saying, "Goodbye. I won't be back."
The Attack
At approximately 3:56 p.m., Huberty drove his black Mercury Marquis sedan to the McDonald's restaurant on San Ysidro Boulevard. Armed with a 9mm Browning HP semi-automatic pistol, a 9mm Uzi carbine, a Winchester 1200 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, Huberty stormed into the restaurant, which was crowded with 45 customers.
The initial moments of terror began when Huberty aimed his shotgun at 16-year-old employee John Arnold. As assistant manager Guillermo Flores alerted Arnold to the danger, Huberty's gun misfired. As he inspected the weapon, manager Neva Caine approached the counter. Huberty shot her beneath her left eye, killing her instantly. He then turned his shotgun on Arnold, wounding him, and declared to the room, "Everybody on the ground."
Huberty's rage escalated as he targeted both patrons and staff. He called them "dirty swine, Vietnam assholes," claiming he had "killed a thousand" and intended to do so again. Victor Rivera, a customer who tried to reason with him, was shot 14 times as he pleaded for mercy.
Huberty's rampage continued as he shot at groups of women and children huddled together for safety. Among his victims was nine-year-old Claudia Pérez, who was shot multiple times, and her 15-year-old sister Imelda, wounded in the hand. Jackie Reyes, pregnant and shielding her niece, was shot 48 times. Her eight-month-old son Carlos was killed by a single shot to his back.
As Huberty moved through the restaurant, he shot and killed 62-year-old trucker Laurence Versluis and attacked a family near the play area. Blythe Regan Herrera and her son Matao were killed, while her husband, Ronald, was injured but survived. Keith Thomas, a friend of their son, was also wounded.
Casualties and Chaos
The massacre claimed the lives of 21 people inside the restaurant and two outside. The victims included McDonald's employees and civilians ranging in age from eight months to 74 years old. Among the injured were children as young as four months and adults up to 36 years old.
As the chaos unfolded, the first emergency call was made at 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately, a dispatcher mistakenly directed police to the wrong McDonald's location, delaying their response. Passers-by and customers inside the restaurant faced the terror alone until officers arrived.
Police Intervention
When police finally reached the correct location, they faced immediate gunfire from Huberty. Officer Miguel Rosario was the first to arrive, quickly radioing for backup. A lockdown was imposed over a six-block radius, and a command post was established nearby. Within an hour, 175 officers, including SWAT team members, had surrounded the restaurant.
As Huberty continued his assault, alternating between his firearms, the police struggled to assess the situation. Broken windows and the possibility of hostages complicated their efforts. At 5:05 p.m., police were authorized to shoot Huberty on sight.
The End of the Siege
The deadly standoff concluded when a police sniper, positioned on the roof of a nearby post office, took a shot at Huberty. It was a precise hit that ended the gunman's life and brought the massacre to a close. The tragedy of the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre remains etched in history as a grim reminder of the devastation one individual can cause.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia article on James Huberty.
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Huberty's Mental Health Concern
James Huberty expresses to his wife concerns about his mental health.
Call to Mental Health Clinic
Huberty calls a mental health clinic seeking help but does not receive a timely response.
McDonald's Massacre Begins
James Huberty enters a McDonald's and begins shooting, killing 22 people and injuring 19 others.
Police Response
Police arrive at the scene and establish a command post as Huberty continues his attack.
Huberty Shot by Sniper
SWAT sniper Charles Foster kills Huberty, ending the 77-minute shooting spree.
Victims Identified
The identities of the victims are released, revealing the tragic loss of life.
McDonald's Demolished
The McDonald's restaurant is demolished, and plans for a memorial are discussed.
Lawsuit Dismissed
Lawsuits filed by victims' families against McDonald's and the police are dismissed.
Memorial Unveiled
A permanent memorial for the victims of the massacre is unveiled.
On July 18, 1984, at approximately 4:00 PM, James Huberty, a 41-year-old man, entered a McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, San Diego, California, and opened fire with a 9mm Browning HP, a 9mm Uzi carbine, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Over the course of 77 minutes, he killed 22 individuals, including an unborn child, and injured 19 others before being shot and killed by a police sniper at 5:17 PM. The incident, which remains the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history, was marked by Huberty's apparent mental health struggles leading up to the attack, including a failed attempt to seek help two days prior. The case is currently closed, with no further legal action pending against the deceased perpetrator.
James Huberty's actions during the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre are theorized to have stemmed from a combination of mental health issues, rage, and possible suicidal ideation. Some speculate that his comments about having a mental health problem prior to the incident indicate a deeper psychological struggle that may have contributed to his violent outburst. Additionally, there is speculation about whether the event was a form of revenge or a manifestation of his frustrations with society.
The San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre: A Day of Tragedy
On July 18, 1984, a quiet afternoon in the San Ysidro neighborhood of San Diego, California, turned into a scene of unspeakable horror. It was at a local McDonald's restaurant where 41-year-old James Huberty unleashed a torrent of violence, leading to one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. By the end of his rampage, 22 people lay dead, including an unborn child, and 19 others were wounded. The massacre continued until a police sniper ended Huberty's life, 77 minutes after his first shot.
Prelude to Tragedy
James Huberty's path to infamy began days before the massacre. On July 15, 1984, Huberty expressed to his wife, Etna, his suspicion that he was suffering from a mental health issue. By July 17, he reached out to a San Diego mental health clinic seeking help. He left his contact details with the receptionist, who promised a call back within a few hours. Huberty waited, but the call never came. Due to a spelling error, his name was logged incorrectly as "Shouberty," and because he did not present as an immediate threat, his call was categorized as non-urgent. This oversight meant the call was not prioritized, and Huberty was left without the help he sought.
Later that day, Huberty returned home in an unusually good mood, ate dinner, and spent the evening with his family, cycling to a nearby park and watching a movie with his wife. The next morning, July 18, began like any other. Huberty and his family visited the San Diego Zoo, where he ominously remarked to Etna that society had missed its chance to help him.
After returning home from a lunch at a McDonald's in Clairemont, Huberty changed into a maroon T-shirt and green camouflage slacks. He approached Etna with a chilling farewell, stating he was "going hunting... hunting for humans." Carrying a gun, ammunition, and a blanket-wrapped bundle, he bade a final goodbye to his daughter Zelia, saying, "Goodbye. I won't be back."
The Attack
At approximately 3:56 p.m., Huberty drove his black Mercury Marquis sedan to the McDonald's restaurant on San Ysidro Boulevard. Armed with a 9mm Browning HP semi-automatic pistol, a 9mm Uzi carbine, a Winchester 1200 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, Huberty stormed into the restaurant, which was crowded with 45 customers.
The initial moments of terror began when Huberty aimed his shotgun at 16-year-old employee John Arnold. As assistant manager Guillermo Flores alerted Arnold to the danger, Huberty's gun misfired. As he inspected the weapon, manager Neva Caine approached the counter. Huberty shot her beneath her left eye, killing her instantly. He then turned his shotgun on Arnold, wounding him, and declared to the room, "Everybody on the ground."
Huberty's rage escalated as he targeted both patrons and staff. He called them "dirty swine, Vietnam assholes," claiming he had "killed a thousand" and intended to do so again. Victor Rivera, a customer who tried to reason with him, was shot 14 times as he pleaded for mercy.
Huberty's rampage continued as he shot at groups of women and children huddled together for safety. Among his victims was nine-year-old Claudia Pérez, who was shot multiple times, and her 15-year-old sister Imelda, wounded in the hand. Jackie Reyes, pregnant and shielding her niece, was shot 48 times. Her eight-month-old son Carlos was killed by a single shot to his back.
As Huberty moved through the restaurant, he shot and killed 62-year-old trucker Laurence Versluis and attacked a family near the play area. Blythe Regan Herrera and her son Matao were killed, while her husband, Ronald, was injured but survived. Keith Thomas, a friend of their son, was also wounded.
Casualties and Chaos
The massacre claimed the lives of 21 people inside the restaurant and two outside. The victims included McDonald's employees and civilians ranging in age from eight months to 74 years old. Among the injured were children as young as four months and adults up to 36 years old.
As the chaos unfolded, the first emergency call was made at 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately, a dispatcher mistakenly directed police to the wrong McDonald's location, delaying their response. Passers-by and customers inside the restaurant faced the terror alone until officers arrived.
Police Intervention
When police finally reached the correct location, they faced immediate gunfire from Huberty. Officer Miguel Rosario was the first to arrive, quickly radioing for backup. A lockdown was imposed over a six-block radius, and a command post was established nearby. Within an hour, 175 officers, including SWAT team members, had surrounded the restaurant.
As Huberty continued his assault, alternating between his firearms, the police struggled to assess the situation. Broken windows and the possibility of hostages complicated their efforts. At 5:05 p.m., police were authorized to shoot Huberty on sight.
The End of the Siege
The deadly standoff concluded when a police sniper, positioned on the roof of a nearby post office, took a shot at Huberty. It was a precise hit that ended the gunman's life and brought the massacre to a close. The tragedy of the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre remains etched in history as a grim reminder of the devastation one individual can cause.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia article on James Huberty.
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...
Huberty's Mental Health Concern
James Huberty expresses to his wife concerns about his mental health.
Call to Mental Health Clinic
Huberty calls a mental health clinic seeking help but does not receive a timely response.
McDonald's Massacre Begins
James Huberty enters a McDonald's and begins shooting, killing 22 people and injuring 19 others.
Police Response
Police arrive at the scene and establish a command post as Huberty continues his attack.
Huberty Shot by Sniper
SWAT sniper Charles Foster kills Huberty, ending the 77-minute shooting spree.
Victims Identified
The identities of the victims are released, revealing the tragic loss of life.
McDonald's Demolished
The McDonald's restaurant is demolished, and plans for a memorial are discussed.
Lawsuit Dismissed
Lawsuits filed by victims' families against McDonald's and the police are dismissed.
Memorial Unveiled
A permanent memorial for the victims of the massacre is unveiled.