1984 McDonalds Massacre

I was reading about this mass shooting in the 80s called the McDonald's Massacre. James Huberty, why did he do it and did he have a mental illness?

From what I recall, he was taking Valium and had run out of his prescription in the midst of a move. He called a mental health clinic and was asked if he was a danger to himself and was he danger to others. He answered no to both questions, so they set up an appointment awhile later, maybe a week or so. The next day, he goes on the rampage. You can read all about it on Wikipedia if you're interested.

Here's a video with a lot of original footage and interviews.

One reporter says that he told people "I've killed a thousand and I'm going to kill a thousand more."

According to his wife, his family had a nice day, with a trip to the zoo that morning and a meal at McDonald's before coming home. She says that he was fiddling with ammunition while she was in their bedroom and then he came to kiss her goodbye and said he was going to "hunt humans" which she ignored, thinking he was trying to upset her. Then he gave her a thumbs up and left.

They also say some interesting things about how in the past, people didn't know to take off-hand comments about suicide seriously but that they had eventually learned. They go on to say that now (in the 1980s) people didn't know to take off-hand comments about homicide seriously, but that they would learn. I think of Columbine 15 years later and it's clear that the kids around Eric and Dylan had no idea that they were supposed to take those comments seriously.

This documentary covers several older mass shootings, also with original footage. The segment on the 1984 Huberty massacre starts at ~12:55.


His wife states that he was hearing voices and again says that he mentioned hunting humans.

I don't know if there's a real answer to why he did it, especially if there's a possibility that he was experiencing psychotic symptoms, but his life story fits the description of a lot of shooters. A guy with some existing anger or personality issues who was subjected to personal failures or disadvantages (at least some of which were not necessarily his own fault). He lost his welding job when the plant closed, prompting them to move to California and then the month of the rampage, he lost his job as a security guard. Top that off with ambiguous mental health problems that were improperly addressed and an interest in guns and things can end badly.

His family doesn't seem too shocked at the situation, huh wierd people..

BornToKill wrote:

His family doesn't seem too shocked at the situation, huh wierd people..

I noticed that as well, in particular his wife. What interviews I've seen of her, she has a rather flat affect.

Tomb wrote:

BornToKill wrote:

His family doesn't seem too shocked at the situation, huh wierd people..

I noticed that as well, in particular his wife. What interviews I've seen of her, she has a rather flat affect.

I know right, that's how I image Wayne Harris talking to police.

Maybe it's a coping mechanism or the effects of medication. I know I would be a nervous wreck if I were in those unenviable positions. Of course, some people just don't have a vast emotional range either.

Rob Dyke made a video about it which gives a lot of info on it.

He said he was "hunting humans".

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has any other shooters left there kids behind when they did an attack, i can only think of Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, Omar manteen, and huberty

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anybody have a link to this yet?

sororityalpha wrote:

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anybody have a link to this yet?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] this maybe

I find brutal and indiscriminate mass murderers like Huberty and Robert Bales to be some of the more disturbing, even morose than child killers like Lanza and Thomas Watt Hamilton; The absolute rage and hatred they must have to have slaughtered everyone in their path, including children, both intrigues and scares the hell out of me.

InsaneIntruder wrote:

Rob Dyke made a video about it which gives a lot of info on it.

Here is the video in question and here's a nice podcast on the shooting.

Here's a documentary on the shooting
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They show his weapons at around the 4:00 mark.

I don't know if this was posted here yet or is even allowed to be posted but I found a video on LiveLeak showing officers rummaging through the restaurant a few hours after the shooting ended. Warning: It is Very Graphic but I thought to let you all know about it, it is an interesting watch plus it shows the body of James Huberty.

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FUCK YES! Nice find man!

Imagine if someone finds a video of the aftermath of the Colorado Cinema shooting, blood & POPCORN everywhere.

There's no video, but there is a series of photographs:
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No bodies unfortunately, but plenty of blood and popcorn!

Ziamber II wrote:

He said he was "hunting humans".

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It might not be relevant but this fact always reminds me on this Song [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Any links to 77 Minutes?

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