The Story of Charles Whitman

Charles Whitman was born June 24, 1941. The town he was born in is called Lake Worth, the state is Florida. In the early years of Charles Whitman he was taught at a young age how to properly handle a gun. Charles was a model student and an Eagle Scout who left home early to escape a violent father. When Charles joined the Marine Corps be became a sharpshooter which in other words a sniper. Charles did his time in the marines before he enrolled into the University of Texas. During his time at Texas University Charles met his future wife, Kathryn Leissner, they soon married in 1962. Charles suffered from mental illness and severe anger fits. After getting called back to active service because of poor academic performance, Charles returned to the marines in 1963. Quickly after returning he was discharged in December of 1964. In the spring of 1965 Whitman went back to the University of Texas in Austin. By 1966, Whitman was suffering from chronic headaches and consulted a therapist at the university to discuss his concerns he had over his mental illnesses. The doctor suggests he attend another session the following week, but Whitman never returned. On August 1st of 1966 Charles killed his mother in her home by stabbing her and he shot her. She had recently left Whitman’s abusive father recently that year. Whitman left a note on his mother’s body that explained “truly sorry that this was the only way I could see to relieve her sufferings but I think it was for the best.” After killing his mother Charles went home, after his wife went to sleep, Whitman stabbed her to death. He also put a note next to her saying “I love her dearly….I cannot rationally point out any specific reason for doing this”. On august 1, 1966, Whitman along with an assortment of weapons and supplies stored in a trunk, he entered the university’s tower. As he headed up to the observation deck he killed a receptionist and two others along the way. Once he reached the deck he began the shooting.