Robert A. Hawkins
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Omaha, Nebraska
TIME PERIOD
December 5, 2007
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
On December 5, 2007, at approximately 1:43 p.m. CST, 19-year-old Robert Hawkins carried out a mass shooting at the Von Maur department store in Westroads Mall, Omaha, Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to five others before he committed suicide. Hawkins entered the store armed with a stolen Century WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle and began firing indiscriminately after first entering the store unarmed. The incident lasted only a few minutes, during which he fired 41 rounds, killing six people instantly, with two additional victims succumbing to their injuries later. The Omaha Police Department responded within six minutes of the initial 911 call, and surveillance footage along with audio recordings of the calls were subsequently released to the public. The case remains a significant event in Nebraska's history as the deadliest mass shooting in the state.
Robert Hawkins' actions are believed to have been motivated by a desire for notoriety, as evidenced by his suicide note expressing a wish to take "pieces of shit" with him and stating he would become "famous." Some speculate that Hawkins may have been influenced by previous mass shootings, viewing them as a means to gain infamy. Additionally, there are theories regarding the accessibility of firearms and the role of mental health support in preventing such tragedies, with some arguing that better intervention could have potentially altered Hawkins' trajectory.
The Westroads Mall Tragedy: A Day of Horror in Omaha
A Winter Afternoon Turns Deadly
On December 5, 2007, Omaha, Nebraska, became the site of a horrific mass shooting that would haunt the state for years to come. Nineteen-year-old Robert Hawkins unleashed terror inside the Von Maur department store at Westroads Mall, killing eight people and injuring five others before turning the gun on himself. This tragic event marked the deadliest mass murder in Nebraska since Charles Starkweather's rampage in 1958.
Prelude to Violence
The hours leading up to the massacre were marked by ominous signs. Hawkins' mother had already handed over his suicide note to the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department, a chilling message partially reading, "I just want to take a few pieces of shit with me... just think tho, I'm gonna be fuckin famous." Surveillance footage captured Hawkins entering the Von Maur store unarmed at 1:36 p.m., only to return six minutes later, this time armed with a stolen Century WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle, hidden beneath a sweatshirt. He carried with him two 30-round magazines, taped together, as he ascended to the third floor via the elevator.
The Rampage Unfolds
At precisely 1:43 p.m. CST, Hawkins stepped out of the elevator and began his attack. He ruthlessly shot two women standing near clothing racks before firing down the atrium, claiming the lives of two men on the floors below. As he moved through the store, he wounded two more individuals, one fatally, and then approached the customer service desk, where he killed three more people. The carnage concluded with Hawkins' own life as he shot himself through the chin, having fired a total of 41 rounds and striking 12 people in the process. Omaha Police arrived at the scene within six minutes of the first 911 call, but the damage was already done.
The Victims and Survivors
Among the fallen were both employees of the Von Maur store and unsuspecting customers. The victims included Beverly Flynn, Janet Jorgensen, Gary Joy, John McDonald, Gary Scharf, Angie Schuster, Dianne Trent, and Maggie Webb. Four individuals survived their injuries, including Fred Wilson, a manager at the store, who was critically wounded but stabilized after losing three-quarters of his blood. Micheale "Mickey" Oldham suffered severe injuries to her abdomen and back, while Jeff Schaffart was treated for wounds to his left arm and hand. Mandy Hyda was hit by a bullet fragment, resulting in a bruise, but required no medical treatment.
The Troubled Life of Robert Hawkins
Robert Arthur Hawkins was born on May 17, 1988, at the RAF Lakenheath station in Suffolk, England, to American U.S. Air Force personnel parents. His childhood was marred by violence, leading to hospitalizations for attention-deficit disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. After threatening his stepmother, he became a ward of the State of Nebraska, with his treatment costing the state $265,000. Expelled from Fort Calhoun High School for trying to sell drugs, he later dropped out of Papillion-La Vista High School and lived with friends after becoming estranged from his parents.
Hawkins' life spiraled further into chaos with a failed attempt to join the U.S. Army due to his mental health record and a series of charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and alcohol possession. Just weeks before the shooting, he threatened a local teenager, yet she chose not to press charges, dismissing his threats as typical bluster.
Aftermath and Reactions
In the wake of the tragedy, the community rallied around the victims and their families, with flowers and memorials adorning the site. By January 2008, a fund established for the victims' families exceeded one million dollars. Hawkins' suicide note was released, revealing his troubled state of mind, though initial reports about some of its contents were inaccurate.
The tragedy left a mark on popular culture, inspiring songs by the punk band Desaparecidos and samples in music by DJ Angerfist. Media coverage included appearances by Hawkins' family on shows like Dr. Phil and Investigation Discovery's "Evil Lives Here."
The corporate and community responses were swift, with statements of condolence and mall closures, while Hawkins' family publicly apologized for his actions. The Westroads Mall shooting remains a somber reminder of the impact of unchecked mental illness and the devastation of senseless violence.
Sources
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Westroads Mall Shooting
Robert Hawkins opens fire in Von Maur, killing 8 and injuring 5 before committing suicide.
Suicide Note Found
Hawkins' mother delivers his suicide note to authorities, revealing his intentions.
Police Response
Omaha Police arrive at the mall six minutes after the first 911 call.
911 Calls Released
Audio tapes and transcripts of 911 calls, including gunshots, are released to the public.
Mall Reopens
Westroads Mall reopens with increased security after the shooting incident.
Mother's Apology
Hawkins' mother publicly apologizes for her son's actions during an interview.
Victims' Fund Surpasses $1M
A fund for the victims' families surpasses one million dollars in donations.
Mother on Dr. Phil
Hawkins' mother appears on Dr. Phil to discuss her son's actions and their aftermath.
Evil Lives Here Premiere
Hawkins is featured in the series premiere of 'Evil Lives Here', discussing his life.
On December 5, 2007, at approximately 1:43 p.m. CST, 19-year-old Robert Hawkins carried out a mass shooting at the Von Maur department store in Westroads Mall, Omaha, Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to five others before he committed suicide. Hawkins entered the store armed with a stolen Century WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle and began firing indiscriminately after first entering the store unarmed. The incident lasted only a few minutes, during which he fired 41 rounds, killing six people instantly, with two additional victims succumbing to their injuries later. The Omaha Police Department responded within six minutes of the initial 911 call, and surveillance footage along with audio recordings of the calls were subsequently released to the public. The case remains a significant event in Nebraska's history as the deadliest mass shooting in the state.
Robert Hawkins' actions are believed to have been motivated by a desire for notoriety, as evidenced by his suicide note expressing a wish to take "pieces of shit" with him and stating he would become "famous." Some speculate that Hawkins may have been influenced by previous mass shootings, viewing them as a means to gain infamy. Additionally, there are theories regarding the accessibility of firearms and the role of mental health support in preventing such tragedies, with some arguing that better intervention could have potentially altered Hawkins' trajectory.
The Westroads Mall Tragedy: A Day of Horror in Omaha
A Winter Afternoon Turns Deadly
On December 5, 2007, Omaha, Nebraska, became the site of a horrific mass shooting that would haunt the state for years to come. Nineteen-year-old Robert Hawkins unleashed terror inside the Von Maur department store at Westroads Mall, killing eight people and injuring five others before turning the gun on himself. This tragic event marked the deadliest mass murder in Nebraska since Charles Starkweather's rampage in 1958.
Prelude to Violence
The hours leading up to the massacre were marked by ominous signs. Hawkins' mother had already handed over his suicide note to the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department, a chilling message partially reading, "I just want to take a few pieces of shit with me... just think tho, I'm gonna be fuckin famous." Surveillance footage captured Hawkins entering the Von Maur store unarmed at 1:36 p.m., only to return six minutes later, this time armed with a stolen Century WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle, hidden beneath a sweatshirt. He carried with him two 30-round magazines, taped together, as he ascended to the third floor via the elevator.
The Rampage Unfolds
At precisely 1:43 p.m. CST, Hawkins stepped out of the elevator and began his attack. He ruthlessly shot two women standing near clothing racks before firing down the atrium, claiming the lives of two men on the floors below. As he moved through the store, he wounded two more individuals, one fatally, and then approached the customer service desk, where he killed three more people. The carnage concluded with Hawkins' own life as he shot himself through the chin, having fired a total of 41 rounds and striking 12 people in the process. Omaha Police arrived at the scene within six minutes of the first 911 call, but the damage was already done.
The Victims and Survivors
Among the fallen were both employees of the Von Maur store and unsuspecting customers. The victims included Beverly Flynn, Janet Jorgensen, Gary Joy, John McDonald, Gary Scharf, Angie Schuster, Dianne Trent, and Maggie Webb. Four individuals survived their injuries, including Fred Wilson, a manager at the store, who was critically wounded but stabilized after losing three-quarters of his blood. Micheale "Mickey" Oldham suffered severe injuries to her abdomen and back, while Jeff Schaffart was treated for wounds to his left arm and hand. Mandy Hyda was hit by a bullet fragment, resulting in a bruise, but required no medical treatment.
The Troubled Life of Robert Hawkins
Robert Arthur Hawkins was born on May 17, 1988, at the RAF Lakenheath station in Suffolk, England, to American U.S. Air Force personnel parents. His childhood was marred by violence, leading to hospitalizations for attention-deficit disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. After threatening his stepmother, he became a ward of the State of Nebraska, with his treatment costing the state $265,000. Expelled from Fort Calhoun High School for trying to sell drugs, he later dropped out of Papillion-La Vista High School and lived with friends after becoming estranged from his parents.
Hawkins' life spiraled further into chaos with a failed attempt to join the U.S. Army due to his mental health record and a series of charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and alcohol possession. Just weeks before the shooting, he threatened a local teenager, yet she chose not to press charges, dismissing his threats as typical bluster.
Aftermath and Reactions
In the wake of the tragedy, the community rallied around the victims and their families, with flowers and memorials adorning the site. By January 2008, a fund established for the victims' families exceeded one million dollars. Hawkins' suicide note was released, revealing his troubled state of mind, though initial reports about some of its contents were inaccurate.
The tragedy left a mark on popular culture, inspiring songs by the punk band Desaparecidos and samples in music by DJ Angerfist. Media coverage included appearances by Hawkins' family on shows like Dr. Phil and Investigation Discovery's "Evil Lives Here."
The corporate and community responses were swift, with statements of condolence and mall closures, while Hawkins' family publicly apologized for his actions. The Westroads Mall shooting remains a somber reminder of the impact of unchecked mental illness and the devastation of senseless violence.
Sources
For more details on this case, visit 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...
Westroads Mall Shooting
Robert Hawkins opens fire in Von Maur, killing 8 and injuring 5 before committing suicide.
Suicide Note Found
Hawkins' mother delivers his suicide note to authorities, revealing his intentions.
Police Response
Omaha Police arrive at the mall six minutes after the first 911 call.
911 Calls Released
Audio tapes and transcripts of 911 calls, including gunshots, are released to the public.
Mall Reopens
Westroads Mall reopens with increased security after the shooting incident.
Mother's Apology
Hawkins' mother publicly apologizes for her son's actions during an interview.
Victims' Fund Surpasses $1M
A fund for the victims' families surpasses one million dollars in donations.
Mother on Dr. Phil
Hawkins' mother appears on Dr. Phil to discuss her son's actions and their aftermath.
Evil Lives Here Premiere
Hawkins is featured in the series premiere of 'Evil Lives Here', discussing his life.