Mall Shooting Forever Changes Lives in Omaha
December 10, 2007
(Long Island, N.Y.) On Wednesday, December 7th life changed forever for Omaha, Nebraska residents. At a popular mall in Omaha a 20 year old man by the name of Robert Hawkins entered the Von Maur department store and looked around for awhile, leaving just a short time later. Six minutes after he left the young man came back into the store carrying something inside of his hooded sweatshirt and moments later shoppers in Von Maur would find out that what he had concealed in his hoodie was a loaded rifle.
The young man went on a rampage that would ultimately leave eight people dead and several others injured. When the young man was done with his shooting spree he then turned the gun on himself and ended his short yet troubled life. Many have reported that Hawkins was aiming the gun at the heads of people and others reported that he was simply firing into crowds, seemingly wanting to hit anyone that he could. Witnesses claim that as he walked by a teddy bear display he fired into the stuffed bear and seemed satisfied with his actions.
Since Wednesday many more details about Robert Hawkins have been reported and the picture that is being painted of this young man and the life that he led is anything but comforting. Apparently, Hawkins left a suicide note that said, “I can’t take this meaningless existence anymore. I’ve been a constant disappointment and that trend would have only continued.” Hawkins has had a troubled life as he spent much of his youth as a ward of the court and is known to have suffered from severe depression and Attention Deficit Disorder.
Shock has turned to grief, and now the community and families of the deceased have begun to hold wakes and vigils starting on Sunday and then planned throughout the week. A funeral will be held Monday at St. John’s Parish on Creighton University campus for 65 year old John McDonald. McDonald was hiding behind a chair with his wife during the shooting when he was shot in the department store. Paramedics were not able to tend to him before he died. McDonald’s is just one of the smaller stories in this massively tragic nightmare. Visitations were also held for three store employees and a shopper that were killed in the shooting on Sunday, making this a week of goodbyes for the friends and family members of the victims.
This story has shocked Omaha residents as well as people around the nation and it hits just a bit too close to home for many holiday shoppers this season. This is the deadliest mall shooting on United States record and it is getting worldwide attention because it is so tragic. It is especially sad because many people think it could have been prevented if this obviously troubled young man would have gotten the help that he needed.
Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Society
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News Comments for this Article
One Response to “Mall Shooting Forever Changes Lives in Omaha”
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they should have killed him when they had the chance we dont want troubled sychos in this world cause they turn around and do stuff like this.
- Posted by: heather