San Antonio Parade Shooting
Mass Shooting at Parade
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
San Antonio, Texas
TIME PERIOD
April 27, 1979
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
On April 27, 1979, Ira Attebury, a 64-year-old WWII veteran, opened fire on spectators at the Battle of Flowers parade in San Antonio, Texas, resulting in two fatalities and 55 injuries, including several police officers. The incident began when Attebury, who was under the influence of drugs and believed he was being persecuted by law enforcement, fired from his RV parked at the intersection of Broadway and Grayson Street, using a cache of fourteen firearms. The shooting lasted approximately thirty minutes before escalating into a standoff with police, during which Attebury was injured by gunfire and ultimately took his own life after his weapon jammed. This event is recorded as the worst mass shooting in San Antonio's history, with significant evidence collected from the scene, including the firearms and eyewitness accounts detailing Attebury's erratic behavior during the attack.
Ira Attebury's actions during the San Antonio parade shooting are often attributed to his belief that he was being persecuted by the police, which some speculate may have been influenced by his mental state and drug use at the time. Additionally, theories suggest that his military background and possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could have contributed to his violent outburst. The significant number of weapons and ammunition found in his RV raises speculation about whether he had planned the attack in advance or if it was a spontaneous act of violence.
The San Antonio Parade Tragedy: A True Crime Account
A Day of Celebration Turns into Terror
On April 27, 1979, the vibrant streets of San Antonio, Texas, were filled with anticipation as crowds gathered for the beloved Battle of Flowers Parade. The sun shone brightly over the city, unaware of the darkness that would soon overshadow the festivities. At the corner of Broadway and Grayson Street, the scene was set for a celebration, but it quickly descended into chaos when 64-year-old Ira Attebury unleashed a storm of violence on unsuspecting spectators.
Attebury, a World War II military veteran, had parked his RV at a strategic vantage point. Inside his vehicle, he had amassed a chilling arsenal of fourteen guns, ready to unleash terror on the innocent crowd. As the parade-goers awaited the start of the procession, Attebury erupted in a barrage of gunfire, indiscriminately targeting "anything that moved." His cries of "traitors, traitors, traitors!" pierced the air, adding a chilling soundtrack to the mayhem.
The ensuing pandemonium lasted for ninety harrowing minutes. As the bullets rained down, chaos reigned, and the once-celebratory atmosphere dissolved into a desperate struggle for survival. Police, thrust into an unforeseen battle, scrambled to respond. A SWAT team was dispatched, engaging in a tense standoff with Attebury. Despite being injured by police gunfire, Attebury remained defiant until his rifle jammed. In a final act of desperation, he turned a gun on himself, ending the siege.
The aftermath was devastating. Two lives were lost, and fifty-five others were left injured, several of whom were the very officers trying to restore order. Of those injured, at least thirty had been struck by the relentless gunfire, while others suffered injuries in the frantic attempt to flee.
The Complex Portrait of a Perpetrator
Ira Attebury's descent into darkness was a tragic tale of paranoia and substance abuse. Born in 1915 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, he was one of nine children raised on a farm. His early years were marked by turbulence; he clashed with his father and eventually dropped out of high school. His life took a turn when he served in the US Coast Guard during World War II, followed by a career as an independent trucker.
However, a catastrophic accident fifteen years before the shooting left him disabled and burdened with guilt, despite not being at fault. This event seemed to ignite a deep-seated belief that he was being persecuted by the police. Adding to his woes was a heart condition that entitled him to a disability pension.
Attebury's life in San Antonio was marked by a nomadic existence. He had resided in a local trailer park for over a year before being evicted due to his erratic behavior. Neighbors recalled him as a "quiet loner," who always paid in cash, mistrustful of banks and convinced he was at the mercy of an unfair system. High on PCP during the assault, Attebury's hallucinations fueled his conviction of being targeted by law enforcement and other institutions.
The Aftermath and Reflections
The impact of the shooting rippled through the community, prompting calls for enhanced police resources. A surviving victim sought justice through the courts, attempting to claim funds from Attebury's estate. In the years following, the incident became etched in San Antonio's memory as the worst mass shooting in its history, earning Attebury the grim moniker of "the Fiesta sniper."
In the realm of criminal psychology, Attebury's actions were dissected and analyzed. John E. Douglas, a former FBI profiler, likened him to Charles Whitman, categorizing Attebury as a "paranoid assassin personality." Without a clear cause, his internal rage appeared to be the catalyst for his violent outburst. Douglas speculated that Attebury's unemployment and paranoia created a volatile mix, leading to the tragic events of that April day.
Ira Attebury was laid to rest in his hometown, leaving behind a legacy of questions and sorrow. His story serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of human violence and the profound impact it leaves on communities.
Sources
- Wikipedia: San Antonio parade shooting
- Medina, Mariah (April 27, 2019). "Battle of Flowers parade marred by terror 40 years ago today." KSAT. San Antonio.
- Guajardo, Adi; Leal, Mario; Floyd, Jackson (April 25, 2019). "Deadly Battle of Flowers parade shooting remembered 40 years later." KENS.
- Alexander, Bob (2018). Old Riot, New Ranger: Captain Jack Dean, Texas Ranger and U.S. Marshal. University of North Texas Press.
- Douglas, John (2012). The Anatomy Of Motive. Simon and Schuster.
- Petty, Kathleen (April 2016). "Fiesta." San Antonio Magazine.
- Huddleston, Scott (April 26, 2024). "Gunman brought chaos to San Antonio's Fiesta parade 45 years ago." San Antonio Express-News.
- Walker, Bill (April 29, 1979). "Kin say wreck affected sniper." Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Franscell, Ron (2010). The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Texas. Rowman & Littlefield.
- " 'Angel Dust' Is Found In Body of Texas Sniper." The New York Times. May 5, 1979.
- Diehl, Kemper (April 29, 1979). "Texas Sniper Had Complained Police Were Persecuting Him." The Washington Post.
- Gilliam, Gwen; Chesser, Barbara (1991). Fatal Moments: The Tragedy of the Accidental Killer. Lexington Books.
- Gardwell, Cary (April 25, 1999). "Witnesses reflect on sniper attack during parade 20 years ago." The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. San Antonio Express-News.
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...
Parade Shooting Begins
Ira Attebury opens fire on spectators at the Battle of Flowers parade, killing two and injuring 55.
Standoff with Police
The shooting escalates into a 90-minute standoff with police and a SWAT team.
Attebury Commits Suicide
After being injured by police gunfire, Attebury kills himself as his rifle jams.
Casualties Reported
Two people are confirmed dead and 55 injured, including several police officers.
PCP Found in Attebury
Toxicology reports reveal that Ira Attebury was under the influence of PCP during the shooting.
40th Anniversary Remembrance
The shooting is remembered as the worst mass shooting in San Antonio history.
On April 27, 1979, Ira Attebury, a 64-year-old WWII veteran, opened fire on spectators at the Battle of Flowers parade in San Antonio, Texas, resulting in two fatalities and 55 injuries, including several police officers. The incident began when Attebury, who was under the influence of drugs and believed he was being persecuted by law enforcement, fired from his RV parked at the intersection of Broadway and Grayson Street, using a cache of fourteen firearms. The shooting lasted approximately thirty minutes before escalating into a standoff with police, during which Attebury was injured by gunfire and ultimately took his own life after his weapon jammed. This event is recorded as the worst mass shooting in San Antonio's history, with significant evidence collected from the scene, including the firearms and eyewitness accounts detailing Attebury's erratic behavior during the attack.
Ira Attebury's actions during the San Antonio parade shooting are often attributed to his belief that he was being persecuted by the police, which some speculate may have been influenced by his mental state and drug use at the time. Additionally, theories suggest that his military background and possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could have contributed to his violent outburst. The significant number of weapons and ammunition found in his RV raises speculation about whether he had planned the attack in advance or if it was a spontaneous act of violence.
The San Antonio Parade Tragedy: A True Crime Account
A Day of Celebration Turns into Terror
On April 27, 1979, the vibrant streets of San Antonio, Texas, were filled with anticipation as crowds gathered for the beloved Battle of Flowers Parade. The sun shone brightly over the city, unaware of the darkness that would soon overshadow the festivities. At the corner of Broadway and Grayson Street, the scene was set for a celebration, but it quickly descended into chaos when 64-year-old Ira Attebury unleashed a storm of violence on unsuspecting spectators.
Attebury, a World War II military veteran, had parked his RV at a strategic vantage point. Inside his vehicle, he had amassed a chilling arsenal of fourteen guns, ready to unleash terror on the innocent crowd. As the parade-goers awaited the start of the procession, Attebury erupted in a barrage of gunfire, indiscriminately targeting "anything that moved." His cries of "traitors, traitors, traitors!" pierced the air, adding a chilling soundtrack to the mayhem.
The ensuing pandemonium lasted for ninety harrowing minutes. As the bullets rained down, chaos reigned, and the once-celebratory atmosphere dissolved into a desperate struggle for survival. Police, thrust into an unforeseen battle, scrambled to respond. A SWAT team was dispatched, engaging in a tense standoff with Attebury. Despite being injured by police gunfire, Attebury remained defiant until his rifle jammed. In a final act of desperation, he turned a gun on himself, ending the siege.
The aftermath was devastating. Two lives were lost, and fifty-five others were left injured, several of whom were the very officers trying to restore order. Of those injured, at least thirty had been struck by the relentless gunfire, while others suffered injuries in the frantic attempt to flee.
The Complex Portrait of a Perpetrator
Ira Attebury's descent into darkness was a tragic tale of paranoia and substance abuse. Born in 1915 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, he was one of nine children raised on a farm. His early years were marked by turbulence; he clashed with his father and eventually dropped out of high school. His life took a turn when he served in the US Coast Guard during World War II, followed by a career as an independent trucker.
However, a catastrophic accident fifteen years before the shooting left him disabled and burdened with guilt, despite not being at fault. This event seemed to ignite a deep-seated belief that he was being persecuted by the police. Adding to his woes was a heart condition that entitled him to a disability pension.
Attebury's life in San Antonio was marked by a nomadic existence. He had resided in a local trailer park for over a year before being evicted due to his erratic behavior. Neighbors recalled him as a "quiet loner," who always paid in cash, mistrustful of banks and convinced he was at the mercy of an unfair system. High on PCP during the assault, Attebury's hallucinations fueled his conviction of being targeted by law enforcement and other institutions.
The Aftermath and Reflections
The impact of the shooting rippled through the community, prompting calls for enhanced police resources. A surviving victim sought justice through the courts, attempting to claim funds from Attebury's estate. In the years following, the incident became etched in San Antonio's memory as the worst mass shooting in its history, earning Attebury the grim moniker of "the Fiesta sniper."
In the realm of criminal psychology, Attebury's actions were dissected and analyzed. John E. Douglas, a former FBI profiler, likened him to Charles Whitman, categorizing Attebury as a "paranoid assassin personality." Without a clear cause, his internal rage appeared to be the catalyst for his violent outburst. Douglas speculated that Attebury's unemployment and paranoia created a volatile mix, leading to the tragic events of that April day.
Ira Attebury was laid to rest in his hometown, leaving behind a legacy of questions and sorrow. His story serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of human violence and the profound impact it leaves on communities.
Sources
- Wikipedia: San Antonio parade shooting
- Medina, Mariah (April 27, 2019). "Battle of Flowers parade marred by terror 40 years ago today." KSAT. San Antonio.
- Guajardo, Adi; Leal, Mario; Floyd, Jackson (April 25, 2019). "Deadly Battle of Flowers parade shooting remembered 40 years later." KENS.
- Alexander, Bob (2018). Old Riot, New Ranger: Captain Jack Dean, Texas Ranger and U.S. Marshal. University of North Texas Press.
- Douglas, John (2012). The Anatomy Of Motive. Simon and Schuster.
- Petty, Kathleen (April 2016). "Fiesta." San Antonio Magazine.
- Huddleston, Scott (April 26, 2024). "Gunman brought chaos to San Antonio's Fiesta parade 45 years ago." San Antonio Express-News.
- Walker, Bill (April 29, 1979). "Kin say wreck affected sniper." Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Franscell, Ron (2010). The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Texas. Rowman & Littlefield.
- " 'Angel Dust' Is Found In Body of Texas Sniper." The New York Times. May 5, 1979.
- Diehl, Kemper (April 29, 1979). "Texas Sniper Had Complained Police Were Persecuting Him." The Washington Post.
- Gilliam, Gwen; Chesser, Barbara (1991). Fatal Moments: The Tragedy of the Accidental Killer. Lexington Books.
- Gardwell, Cary (April 25, 1999). "Witnesses reflect on sniper attack during parade 20 years ago." The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. San Antonio Express-News.
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...
Parade Shooting Begins
Ira Attebury opens fire on spectators at the Battle of Flowers parade, killing two and injuring 55.
Standoff with Police
The shooting escalates into a 90-minute standoff with police and a SWAT team.
Attebury Commits Suicide
After being injured by police gunfire, Attebury kills himself as his rifle jams.
Casualties Reported
Two people are confirmed dead and 55 injured, including several police officers.
PCP Found in Attebury
Toxicology reports reveal that Ira Attebury was under the influence of PCP during the shooting.
40th Anniversary Remembrance
The shooting is remembered as the worst mass shooting in San Antonio history.