1960's Law and Justice | The Shootist

In the Heat of Summer.

Shortly before noon on a hot summer day in Austin, Texas, a tragedy unfolded which shocked the nation. The date was 1 August 1966. A student of architectural engineering at the University of Texas began firing from the tower which soared 307 feet above the campus. The shooting spree of Charles Whitman would become one of the bloodiest rampages in recent American history.

A Typical Childhood.

The sniper's background was not particularly troubled. The big, muscular, young man had grown up in Lake Worth, Florida, the oldest of three sons of a plumbing contractor. His home life appeared typical. As a child he had attended a Catholic school. He had a newspaper route and served as an altar boy at his church. He played school sports and made Eagle Scout when he was only twelve years old. His father was a gun enthusiast who insisted that his sons be able to shoot. Whitman further developed this skill...