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Where'd They Get Their Guns?

An Analysis of the Firearms Used in High-Profile Shootings, 1963 to 2001

Date: March 5, 2001

Location: Santana High School, Santee, Californa

Alleged Shooter: Charles "Andy" Williams

People Killed: Two

People Injured: 13

Firearm(s): .22 Arminius eight-shot revolver


Circumstances

Williams, a skinny 15-year-old high school student, allegedly opened fire on his classmates at Santee High School reportedly because he was tired of being picked on. Williams fired 30 rounds from his eight-shot revolver, stopping to reload three times before being arrested by police. Williams allegedly killed two of his classmates and wounded 11 other students and two adults.


How Firearm(s) Acquired

The firearm was legal. Williams took the handgun from his father's locked gun cabinet. Police removed seven additional rifles from the Williams' apartment following the shooting. Williams told friends that he wanted to open fire on Santana High School, and at least one adult was made aware of his threats, but no one took them seriously.

 
  1. Leonard Novarro, "Police: High School Shooting Could Have Been Worse," Reuters, March 2001.
  2. Jeff Dillon, Untitled Wire Report, Copley News Service, March 6, 2001.

 

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 All contents � 2001 Violence Policy Center

 


The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational foundation that conducts research on violence in America and works to develop violence-reduction policies and proposals. The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related death and injury.