Omaha mall shooting

9 Stories

Mall Shooter Took Gun While Briefly Alone

Assault gun in Omaha slayings came from ex-stepfather's house

(Newser) - The night before the Omaha mall shootings, Robert Hawkins' mother went Christmas shopping for an hour. In that hour alone in his ex-stepfather's house, reports the Omaha World-Herald, the 19-year-old stole the assault rifle he used to randomly kill eight people the next day. At dinner, Hawkins told his mother...

Mall Shooter Spent 2 Years in Treatment

'No indication' he would launch killing spree, says official

(Newser) - Mall shooter Robert Hawkins spent two years in extensive care at a Nebraska home for troubled teens, where an official said there was "no indication" he would launch one of the deadliest killing rampages in American history, the New York Times reports. He spent a total of five years...

Omaha Mall Reopens Under Heavy Security

Van Maur store, where the shooter opened fire, remains closed

(Newser) - The Omaha mall where 19-year-old Robert Hawkins unleashed his killing spree re-opened for business today under tighter security, the AP reports. “I came in here and I was wondering how I would feel about it,” the mayor said, “but I feel fine.” The Von Maur store...

'I've Just Snapped,' Writes Mall Shooter

He apologizes to family in suicide note

(Newser) - The Omaha mall gunman apologized to family and friends in a suicide note released today and says he "just snapped" before killing eight people and himself in a shopping mall, the AP reports. "I know everyone will remember me as some sort of monster but please understand that...

Mall Gunman Photos Released
Mall Gunman Photos Released
Dec 7, 2007 4:39 PM CST

Mall Gunman Photos Released

Police have killer's face, actions on videotape

(Newser) - Images from surveillance videos showing Robert Hawkins, the 19-year-old who killed eight people, and then himself, at Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska, Wednesday, were released by the authorities today, the AP reports. Three still images taken by mall security cameras show Hawkins walking into the mall seemingly unarmed, then with...

In Wake of Shootings, Malls Rethink Security

Omaha incident gives new urgency to debate over accessibility

(Newser) - This week's shootings at an Omaha mall have revived the debate over security at shopping centers, Their openness and popularity make them dream targets for terrorists and disturbed individuals looking for attention, experts say, and some argue for Israeli-style screening of patrons, with metal detectors and car searches. USA Today ...

Omaha Shooter Cased Store, Smuggled Gun

Police say he hid an AK-47 inside balled-up sweatshirt

(Newser) - 19-year-old Robert Hawkins briefly looked around the Von Maur department store yesterday before leaving, only to return six minutes later and open fire with a stolen AK-47 in the Omaha rampage that left nine dead. Upon reentry, Hawkins was "concealing something balled up in a hooded sweatshirt," police...

Mall Shooter Was Depressed, Seemed 'Gentle'

Teenage gunman had prior arrests, but was thought harmless

(Newser) - Robert Hawkins—who killed 8 people and himself at an Omaha mall yesterday—had been treated for depression, and had prior arrests for drug possession and disorderly conduct. But the woman who took him in, after he had a falling out with his family, thought he was getting better, and...

9 Dead in Omaha Mall Shooting
9 Dead in Omaha Mall Shooting
UPDATED
Dec 5, 2007 4:18 PM CST

9 Dead in Omaha Mall Shooting

Five injured; gunman left note about 'going out in style'

(Newser) - A gunman at an Omaha mall killed eight people, wounded five others, then killed himself, police said. Witnesses said the man pointed his gun over a third-floor railing about 2 p.m. at the busy mall and opened fire, local station WOWT-TV reports. Police identified the gunman as a 19-year-old...

9 Stories