The Westroads Mall Tragedy: A Day of Horror

Prelude to Destruction

On a chilly December afternoon in 2007, the holiday hustle and bustle at Omaha, Nebraska's Westroads Mall was abruptly shattered. At the center of this chaos was nineteen-year-old Robert Arthur Hawkins. The young man, plagued by a troubled past and mental health struggles, entered the Von Maur department store with a grim resolve. What followed would become the deadliest mass shooting in Nebraska since Charles Starkweather's infamous spree nearly five decades prior.

An hour before unleashing his fury, Hawkins' mother handed a chilling suicide note to the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department. "I just want to take a few peices [sic] of shit with me," Hawkins wrote, declaring his morbid aspiration for infamy.

The Shooting Unfolds

At precisely 1:36 p.m. CST, Hawkins walked into the Von Maur store. Initially unarmed, he surveyed the festive environment before exiting, only to return six minutes later. This time, hidden beneath a sweatshirt, he carried a Century WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle, stolen from his stepfather's home. The weapon, a replica of the AKM, was ominously equipped with two magazines taped together, ready for rapid fire.

Hawkins took the elevator to the third floor and, at 1:43 p.m., began his assault. With chilling precision, he first gunned down two women standing near clothing racks. He then methodically fired into the store’s atrium, killing two men on different floors. His rampage continued as he indiscriminately shot at the customer service desk, leaving a trail of death in his wake. By the time Hawkins turned the gun on himself, he had discharged 41 rounds, killing eight and injuring five others.

The Victims

The victims of Hawkins' senseless violence included six Von Maur employees and two customers. They were Beverly Flynn, Janet Jorgensen, Gary Joy, and Angie Schuster, all employees; and customers John McDonald and Gary Scharf. Tragically, store manager Maggie Webb and department manager Dianne Trent also lost their lives that day.

Among the injured were Fred Wilson, a customer service manager who arrived at the hospital without a pulse, and Micheale "Mickey" Oldham, another employee who suffered severe abdominal and back injuries. Jeff Schaffart, a customer, sustained injuries to his left arm and hand, while Mandy Hyda escaped with a bruised leg from a bullet fragment.

A Troubled Past

Delving into Robert Hawkins' past reveals a life marred by instability. Born to U.S. Air Force personnel in England, Hawkins was diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder by age four. His childhood was turbulent, leading to multiple hospitalizations and diagnoses of mood and oppositional defiant disorders. His treatment cost the state of Nebraska a staggering $265,000.

Hawkins' teenage years were turbulent. Expelled for drug-related activities, he bounced between schools before dropping out entirely. Estranged from his parents, he lived with a friend's family in Bellevue, Nebraska, where he struggled with depression, job loss, and a failed relationship. Attempts to enlist in the U.S. Army were thwarted by his mental health history.

In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Hawkins' behavior grew increasingly erratic. He faced legal troubles for contributing to a minor's delinquency and was embroiled in a dispute over a stolen CD player. Despite these warning signs, Hawkins remained unchallenged, culminating in his deadly act.

Aftermath and Reactions

The aftermath of the Westroads Mall shooting was marked by a profound outpouring of grief. Floral tributes and makeshift memorials adorned the Von Maur store, while a fund for the victims' families quickly amassed over a million dollars.

In the days following, Hawkins' chilling suicide note was made public. His mother, Maribel Rodriguez, appeared on national television to apologize for her son's actions, expressing her deep sorrow for the victims. The tragedy also left its mark on popular culture, inspiring songs and television episodes that reflected on the horror of that day.

The Von Maur corporation and Westroads Mall both issued heartfelt statements, expressing their condolences and support for those affected. Meanwhile, the Hawkins family also released a statement, sharing their regret and sadness.

The Westroads Mall shooting remains an indelible scar on Omaha's history, a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind seemingly ordinary lives.

Sources

For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article.