Lynwood Drake
Mass Murder Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Morro Bay, California
TIME PERIOD
November 7-8, 1992
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Morro Bay, California, on November 7, 1992, Lynwood Crumpler Drake III initiated a violent spree that resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to one other. The incident began around 6 p.m. at a residence where he killed 80-year-old Andrew Zatko, followed by additional shootings at a card-playing club in Paso Robles. After the shootings, Drake took a hostage at a house in San Miguel, where he ultimately died by suicide the following morning, November 8, 1992. The investigation revealed that Drake had a history of mental health issues and personal grievances, which he articulated in a note found posthumously, indicating a perceived persecution by those he targeted. The case remains a significant example of a mass shooting motivated by personal vendettas and unresolved psychological distress.
Lynwood Drake had a history of making violent threats, often expressing a desire to kill his enemies and himself, which many dismissed as the ramblings of a "nut." Investigators believe that his feelings of being wronged by others contributed to his violent outburst, and some speculate that his mental health issues were exacerbated by his unemployment and personal circumstances. Additionally, there is a theory that his eviction and recent life stressors may have triggered the deadly spree.
Lynwood Drake: The Tragic Tale of a Spree Killer
The Man Behind the Mayhem
Lynwood Crumpler Drake III, known to many as "Crazy Jim," was born on October 10, 1949, in Norfolk, Virginia. He navigated a tumultuous life that ended violently in San Miguel, California, on November 8, 1992. At 43, Drake orchestrated a deadly rampage, killing six people and wounding another across two towns in California. The carnage culminated with his own suicide, painting a grim portrait of a man at odds with the world.
Drake's life was a mosaic of failed ambitions and personal grievances. He had dabbled in various occupations, working as a bartender, caterer, and construction worker. Despite taking acting classes in New York and landing a minor role in the film "The World According to Garp," he had succumbed to unemployment. By 1992, Drake relied on disability payments and his girlfriend's welfare to survive.
His personal life was equally chaotic. In June 1991, Drake was arrested for assaulting a day-care worker after his daughter sustained an injury. He was subsequently sentenced to a year's probation and mandated to complete a mental health program geared towards aggressive individuals, though there is no record of his compliance.
The disintegration of Drake's domestic life added fuel to his simmering rage. In May 1992, he was evicted from his home by his landlord, Andrew Zatko, due to unpaid rent. This eviction proved to be the final straw, as his common-law wife left him, taking their infant daughter with her.
The Note that Foretold the Tragedy
In the pocket of Drake's lifeless body, authorities discovered a note in which he identified himself as Jesse Cole Younger, a nod to the infamous outlaw Cole Younger of the Jesse James gang. In this note, Drake blamed Zatko and others for the estrangement from his family, writing, "I Jesse Cole Younger killed 3 men because they took my wife, family and daughter from me." He also vented his ire at his parents and sister, accusing them of lifelong persecution and concluding with the ominous words: "They refused to help. Damn the American family to hell. God forgive me."
A Night of Terror
The night of November 7, 1992, was one of terror and bloodshed. It began just before 6 p.m. in Morro Bay, California, where Drake fatally shot his former landlord, the 80-year-old Andrew Zatko, in the throat. Zatko's companion, Gladys Walton, witnessed the murder.
Fueled by vengeance, Drake then proceeded to the home of Norman Metcalfe, another of Zatko's former tenants who had testified against him in the eviction proceedings. At 6:24 p.m., Drake ambushed Metcalfe, shooting him between the eyes. During the altercation, he also shot and killed 32-year-old Danny Cizek and wounded 27-year-old Jeffrey Sidlin in the arm.
Five hours later, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, Drake drove to Oak's Card Parlor in Paso Robles. This was a familiar haunt where he had previously lost money and was eventually banned for causing disturbances. Here, he shot and killed dealers David Law, 47, and Joe Garcia, 60. Kris Staub, a 31-year-old customer, was fatally wounded, though others were spared after pleading for their lives.
Drake's blood-soaked journey ended at the San Miguel home of Joanne Morrow, a former landlord. He took Morrow hostage, beating her with a blackjack and threatening her life. As police surrounded the house at approximately 5 a.m. on November 8, Drake ended his rampage by turning the gun on himself.
The Unfulfilled Plans
Investigations revealed that Drake had intended to extend his killing spree to include his pastor and the day-care worker involved in his arrest. However, mechanical issues with his vehicle thwarted these plans.
The Victims
- Andrew Zatko, 80
- Norman Metcalfe, 37
- Danny Cizek, 32
- David Law, 47
- Joe Garcia, 60
- Kris Staub, 30
Conclusion
Lynwood Drake's story is one of a man who felt cornered by life, his grievances culminating in a night of horror that forever changed the communities of Morro Bay and Paso Robles. His actions left behind a trail of grief and questions, a testament to the destructive power of unresolved anger and isolation.
Sources
For more in-depth information, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Drake's Assault Arrest
Lynwood Drake is arrested for assaulting a day-care worker after his daughter is injured.
Eviction from Home
Drake is evicted from his rental home for non-payment of rent, leading to his girlfriend and daughter leaving him.
Murder Spree Begins
Drake kills Andrew Zatko and Norman Metcalfe, along with two others, during a shooting spree in Morro Bay.
Card Parlor Murders
Drake kills three more individuals at Oak's Card Parlor in Paso Robles, including David Law and Joe Garcia.
Hostage Situation
Drake takes Joanne Morrow hostage in San Miguel after his shooting spree.
Drake Commits Suicide
Surrounded by police, Drake takes his own life early in the morning.
Case Makes Headlines
The mass shooting and subsequent suicide make national news, highlighting the tragic events.
Morro Bay, California, on November 7, 1992, Lynwood Crumpler Drake III initiated a violent spree that resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to one other. The incident began around 6 p.m. at a residence where he killed 80-year-old Andrew Zatko, followed by additional shootings at a card-playing club in Paso Robles. After the shootings, Drake took a hostage at a house in San Miguel, where he ultimately died by suicide the following morning, November 8, 1992. The investigation revealed that Drake had a history of mental health issues and personal grievances, which he articulated in a note found posthumously, indicating a perceived persecution by those he targeted. The case remains a significant example of a mass shooting motivated by personal vendettas and unresolved psychological distress.
Lynwood Drake had a history of making violent threats, often expressing a desire to kill his enemies and himself, which many dismissed as the ramblings of a "nut." Investigators believe that his feelings of being wronged by others contributed to his violent outburst, and some speculate that his mental health issues were exacerbated by his unemployment and personal circumstances. Additionally, there is a theory that his eviction and recent life stressors may have triggered the deadly spree.
Lynwood Drake: The Tragic Tale of a Spree Killer
The Man Behind the Mayhem
Lynwood Crumpler Drake III, known to many as "Crazy Jim," was born on October 10, 1949, in Norfolk, Virginia. He navigated a tumultuous life that ended violently in San Miguel, California, on November 8, 1992. At 43, Drake orchestrated a deadly rampage, killing six people and wounding another across two towns in California. The carnage culminated with his own suicide, painting a grim portrait of a man at odds with the world.
Drake's life was a mosaic of failed ambitions and personal grievances. He had dabbled in various occupations, working as a bartender, caterer, and construction worker. Despite taking acting classes in New York and landing a minor role in the film "The World According to Garp," he had succumbed to unemployment. By 1992, Drake relied on disability payments and his girlfriend's welfare to survive.
His personal life was equally chaotic. In June 1991, Drake was arrested for assaulting a day-care worker after his daughter sustained an injury. He was subsequently sentenced to a year's probation and mandated to complete a mental health program geared towards aggressive individuals, though there is no record of his compliance.
The disintegration of Drake's domestic life added fuel to his simmering rage. In May 1992, he was evicted from his home by his landlord, Andrew Zatko, due to unpaid rent. This eviction proved to be the final straw, as his common-law wife left him, taking their infant daughter with her.
The Note that Foretold the Tragedy
In the pocket of Drake's lifeless body, authorities discovered a note in which he identified himself as Jesse Cole Younger, a nod to the infamous outlaw Cole Younger of the Jesse James gang. In this note, Drake blamed Zatko and others for the estrangement from his family, writing, "I Jesse Cole Younger killed 3 men because they took my wife, family and daughter from me." He also vented his ire at his parents and sister, accusing them of lifelong persecution and concluding with the ominous words: "They refused to help. Damn the American family to hell. God forgive me."
A Night of Terror
The night of November 7, 1992, was one of terror and bloodshed. It began just before 6 p.m. in Morro Bay, California, where Drake fatally shot his former landlord, the 80-year-old Andrew Zatko, in the throat. Zatko's companion, Gladys Walton, witnessed the murder.
Fueled by vengeance, Drake then proceeded to the home of Norman Metcalfe, another of Zatko's former tenants who had testified against him in the eviction proceedings. At 6:24 p.m., Drake ambushed Metcalfe, shooting him between the eyes. During the altercation, he also shot and killed 32-year-old Danny Cizek and wounded 27-year-old Jeffrey Sidlin in the arm.
Five hours later, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, Drake drove to Oak's Card Parlor in Paso Robles. This was a familiar haunt where he had previously lost money and was eventually banned for causing disturbances. Here, he shot and killed dealers David Law, 47, and Joe Garcia, 60. Kris Staub, a 31-year-old customer, was fatally wounded, though others were spared after pleading for their lives.
Drake's blood-soaked journey ended at the San Miguel home of Joanne Morrow, a former landlord. He took Morrow hostage, beating her with a blackjack and threatening her life. As police surrounded the house at approximately 5 a.m. on November 8, Drake ended his rampage by turning the gun on himself.
The Unfulfilled Plans
Investigations revealed that Drake had intended to extend his killing spree to include his pastor and the day-care worker involved in his arrest. However, mechanical issues with his vehicle thwarted these plans.
The Victims
- Andrew Zatko, 80
- Norman Metcalfe, 37
- Danny Cizek, 32
- David Law, 47
- Joe Garcia, 60
- Kris Staub, 30
Conclusion
Lynwood Drake's story is one of a man who felt cornered by life, his grievances culminating in a night of horror that forever changed the communities of Morro Bay and Paso Robles. His actions left behind a trail of grief and questions, a testament to the destructive power of unresolved anger and isolation.
Sources
For more in-depth information, visit the original 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
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Drake's Assault Arrest
Lynwood Drake is arrested for assaulting a day-care worker after his daughter is injured.
Eviction from Home
Drake is evicted from his rental home for non-payment of rent, leading to his girlfriend and daughter leaving him.
Murder Spree Begins
Drake kills Andrew Zatko and Norman Metcalfe, along with two others, during a shooting spree in Morro Bay.
Card Parlor Murders
Drake kills three more individuals at Oak's Card Parlor in Paso Robles, including David Law and Joe Garcia.
Hostage Situation
Drake takes Joanne Morrow hostage in San Miguel after his shooting spree.
Drake Commits Suicide
Surrounded by police, Drake takes his own life early in the morning.
Case Makes Headlines
The mass shooting and subsequent suicide make national news, highlighting the tragic events.