William Ray Bonner
Spree Killing Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
April 22, 1973
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
William Ray Bonner, a former service station attendant, initiated a violent shooting spree on April 22, 1973, in the South Side area of Los Angeles, California, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to nine others. The incident began at approximately 2:35 p.m. following a dispute with Otha Leavitt, leading Bonner to shoot two teenagers outside his home before killing Leavitt and hijacking her vehicle. He continued his rampage at two gas stations, where he targeted acquaintances, including 18-year-old Vicky Wells and her 13-year-old sister Aileen, both of whom he shot, with Aileen being killed instantly. Bonner's spree ended with his arrest after a shootout with police, and he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment later that year. Significant evidence includes eyewitness accounts, ballistic reports linking Bonner to the firearms used, and the recovery of the hijacked vehicle.
Investigators and the public speculate that William Ray Bonner's violent outburst may have been triggered by underlying mental health issues, as well as a possible history of substance abuse. Some believe that the argument with Otha Leavitt was a catalyst for his rampage, suggesting that a combination of personal grievances and psychological instability led to his actions. There are also theories that Bonner's familiarity with some of his victims contributed to the brutality of the attacks, indicating a deeper personal motive.
The Rampage of William Ray Bonner
On a fateful spring afternoon, April 22, 1973, the South Side of Los Angeles, California, was marred by a brutal spree of violence perpetrated by a seemingly unassuming man named William Ray Bonner. Born on March 28, 1948, Bonner had lived a quiet life as a service station attendant until this day of terror that claimed seven lives and left nine others injured. His rampage ended only after a dramatic confrontation with the police, resulting in his arrest and the end of a chilling chapter in Los Angeles history.
The Day of Violence
The violence erupted at Bonner's own residence around 2:35 p.m. An argument with Otha Leavitt, a friend of his mother, escalated to a deadly encounter. Leavitt had merely stopped by to make a phone call, but in a fit of rage, Bonner turned a handgun on her teenage companions outside—16-year-old Anthony Thomas and 17-year-old Carolyn Cleveland—leaving them severely wounded. He then re-entered the house and shot Leavitt in the head, killing her instantly. Seizing her Plymouth Valiant, Bonner set off on a trail of destruction.
His first stop was a familiar gas station, just 1.5 miles from his home, where he had once worked. There, he encountered sisters Vicky and Aileen Wells. With cold precision, Bonner shot Vicky, critically wounding her, and killed 13-year-old Aileen as she fled. Moments later, at another gas station, Bonner confronted Raleigh Henderson, a former colleague and friend. A shotgun blast to the stomach felled Henderson, leading Bonner to taunt another worker, James Morrow, with a chilling remark over the lifeless body.
Bonner's spree continued to the home of Jevie Thompson, with whom he'd had a disagreement the night before. In a savage attack, he killed Thompson and critically wounded Thompson’s wife, Eddie Mae, and their teenage son, Alfred. Moving on to Smitty's Drive-In Liquors, Bonner exacted vengeance on the owner, Smitty Sneed, over a past financial dispute, and wounded a customer in the process.
At Liquorama Liquors, Bonner left two more wounded before heading to his former girlfriend, Diane Lore Andrea's house. The previous day's quarrel over their mutual friend, Vernon Thompson, had ended their relationship. Bonner's response was fatal; a single shotgun blast ended Diane's life instantly.
The Chase and Capture
Bonner eluded capture until 3:25 p.m. when police finally spotted him. In a dramatic sequence, he blocked an alleyway, threatening officers with his shotgun. When it misfired, he fled, leading to a high-speed chase that culminated in a collision with Mary Felton's vehicle. Bonner hijacked Felton's car, taking her and her children hostage. A courageous security guard, Versell Bennett, intervened, but a tragic misunderstanding led to a police shootout in which Bennett was mistakenly targeted and fatally wounded. Bonner, hit multiple times, was finally subdued and arrested at 3:29 p.m.
The Perpetrator
William Ray Bonner was known to acquaintances as a quiet, kind young man with no history of overt violence. Yet, police records painted a different picture. Since 1966, Bonner had been arrested for narcotics, assault, and grand theft auto. Even his father, James A. Bonner, speculated about shadowy connections to a Mafia gang that had allegedly threatened the family.
The Victims
The rampage claimed the lives of:
- Diane Lore Andrea, 22, Bonner's former girlfriend
- Versell Bennett, 58, security guard accidentally shot by police
- Raleigh "Butch" Henderson, 33, Bonner's friend
- Otha Leavitt, 53, friend of Bonner's mother
- Smitty B. Sneed, 58, liquor store owner
- Jevie D. Thompson, 57
- Aileen Wells, 13
The Legal Aftermath
In July, the case's preliminary hearings began, leading to formal charges on August 21. Bonner was accused of seven murders, eight assaults with a deadly weapon, and three kidnappings. Initially pleading innocent and claiming insanity, he eventually pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and assault. By December 17, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death in Prison
William Ray Bonner spent the remainder of his life incarcerated, dying on January 4, 2022, at San Quentin State Prison, aged 73. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not disclose the cause of death, leaving the final chapter of his life a mystery.
Sources
For more details, you can refer to the original Wikipedia article here.
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Shooting Spree Begins
William Ray Bonner begins his shooting spree, killing six and injuring nine in Los Angeles.
Bonner Arrested
Bonner is arrested after a shootout with police, having been injured in the exchange.
Preliminary Hearings Start
Preliminary hearings for Bonner's case begin, outlining the charges against him.
Formal Charges Filed
Bonner is formally charged with seven counts of murder and other offenses.
Guilty Plea
Bonner changes his plea to guilty for one count of first degree murder and others.
Sentenced to Life
Bonner is sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes.
Bonner Dies
William Ray Bonner dies at San Quentin State Prison at the age of 73.
William Ray Bonner, a former service station attendant, initiated a violent shooting spree on April 22, 1973, in the South Side area of Los Angeles, California, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to nine others. The incident began at approximately 2:35 p.m. following a dispute with Otha Leavitt, leading Bonner to shoot two teenagers outside his home before killing Leavitt and hijacking her vehicle. He continued his rampage at two gas stations, where he targeted acquaintances, including 18-year-old Vicky Wells and her 13-year-old sister Aileen, both of whom he shot, with Aileen being killed instantly. Bonner's spree ended with his arrest after a shootout with police, and he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment later that year. Significant evidence includes eyewitness accounts, ballistic reports linking Bonner to the firearms used, and the recovery of the hijacked vehicle.
Investigators and the public speculate that William Ray Bonner's violent outburst may have been triggered by underlying mental health issues, as well as a possible history of substance abuse. Some believe that the argument with Otha Leavitt was a catalyst for his rampage, suggesting that a combination of personal grievances and psychological instability led to his actions. There are also theories that Bonner's familiarity with some of his victims contributed to the brutality of the attacks, indicating a deeper personal motive.
The Rampage of William Ray Bonner
On a fateful spring afternoon, April 22, 1973, the South Side of Los Angeles, California, was marred by a brutal spree of violence perpetrated by a seemingly unassuming man named William Ray Bonner. Born on March 28, 1948, Bonner had lived a quiet life as a service station attendant until this day of terror that claimed seven lives and left nine others injured. His rampage ended only after a dramatic confrontation with the police, resulting in his arrest and the end of a chilling chapter in Los Angeles history.
The Day of Violence
The violence erupted at Bonner's own residence around 2:35 p.m. An argument with Otha Leavitt, a friend of his mother, escalated to a deadly encounter. Leavitt had merely stopped by to make a phone call, but in a fit of rage, Bonner turned a handgun on her teenage companions outside—16-year-old Anthony Thomas and 17-year-old Carolyn Cleveland—leaving them severely wounded. He then re-entered the house and shot Leavitt in the head, killing her instantly. Seizing her Plymouth Valiant, Bonner set off on a trail of destruction.
His first stop was a familiar gas station, just 1.5 miles from his home, where he had once worked. There, he encountered sisters Vicky and Aileen Wells. With cold precision, Bonner shot Vicky, critically wounding her, and killed 13-year-old Aileen as she fled. Moments later, at another gas station, Bonner confronted Raleigh Henderson, a former colleague and friend. A shotgun blast to the stomach felled Henderson, leading Bonner to taunt another worker, James Morrow, with a chilling remark over the lifeless body.
Bonner's spree continued to the home of Jevie Thompson, with whom he'd had a disagreement the night before. In a savage attack, he killed Thompson and critically wounded Thompson’s wife, Eddie Mae, and their teenage son, Alfred. Moving on to Smitty's Drive-In Liquors, Bonner exacted vengeance on the owner, Smitty Sneed, over a past financial dispute, and wounded a customer in the process.
At Liquorama Liquors, Bonner left two more wounded before heading to his former girlfriend, Diane Lore Andrea's house. The previous day's quarrel over their mutual friend, Vernon Thompson, had ended their relationship. Bonner's response was fatal; a single shotgun blast ended Diane's life instantly.
The Chase and Capture
Bonner eluded capture until 3:25 p.m. when police finally spotted him. In a dramatic sequence, he blocked an alleyway, threatening officers with his shotgun. When it misfired, he fled, leading to a high-speed chase that culminated in a collision with Mary Felton's vehicle. Bonner hijacked Felton's car, taking her and her children hostage. A courageous security guard, Versell Bennett, intervened, but a tragic misunderstanding led to a police shootout in which Bennett was mistakenly targeted and fatally wounded. Bonner, hit multiple times, was finally subdued and arrested at 3:29 p.m.
The Perpetrator
William Ray Bonner was known to acquaintances as a quiet, kind young man with no history of overt violence. Yet, police records painted a different picture. Since 1966, Bonner had been arrested for narcotics, assault, and grand theft auto. Even his father, James A. Bonner, speculated about shadowy connections to a Mafia gang that had allegedly threatened the family.
The Victims
The rampage claimed the lives of:
- Diane Lore Andrea, 22, Bonner's former girlfriend
- Versell Bennett, 58, security guard accidentally shot by police
- Raleigh "Butch" Henderson, 33, Bonner's friend
- Otha Leavitt, 53, friend of Bonner's mother
- Smitty B. Sneed, 58, liquor store owner
- Jevie D. Thompson, 57
- Aileen Wells, 13
The Legal Aftermath
In July, the case's preliminary hearings began, leading to formal charges on August 21. Bonner was accused of seven murders, eight assaults with a deadly weapon, and three kidnappings. Initially pleading innocent and claiming insanity, he eventually pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and assault. By December 17, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death in Prison
William Ray Bonner spent the remainder of his life incarcerated, dying on January 4, 2022, at San Quentin State Prison, aged 73. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not disclose the cause of death, leaving the final chapter of his life a mystery.
Sources
For more details, you can refer to the original Wikipedia article here.
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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Shooting Spree Begins
William Ray Bonner begins his shooting spree, killing six and injuring nine in Los Angeles.
Bonner Arrested
Bonner is arrested after a shootout with police, having been injured in the exchange.
Preliminary Hearings Start
Preliminary hearings for Bonner's case begin, outlining the charges against him.
Formal Charges Filed
Bonner is formally charged with seven counts of murder and other offenses.
Guilty Plea
Bonner changes his plea to guilty for one count of first degree murder and others.
Sentenced to Life
Bonner is sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes.
Bonner Dies
William Ray Bonner dies at San Quentin State Prison at the age of 73.