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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 24, 1998

Location: Westside Middle School, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Alleged Shooters: Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson

People Killed: Five

People Injured: 10

Firearm(s): Remington 742 .30-06 rifle, Universal .30 M1 Carbine replica, Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, Double Deuce Buddie .22 two-shot derringer, Star .380 pistol, FIE .380 pistol, Ruger Security Six .357 revolver, Davis Industries .38 two-shot derringer, and a Charter Arms .38 revolver


Circumstances

After excusing himself from his classroom to use the bathroom, Golden pulled a fire alarm and ran outside to join Johnson at a nearby construction site. From there, they allegedly opened fire on the students and teachers as they filed out of the school. Four students and a teacher were killed, and nine students and a teacher were wounded. The boys later surrendered to police.


How Firearm(s) Acquired

Seven weapons were taken from Golden's grandfather, and three were taken from his father. All of the weapons were owned legally. Golden owned his own firearms, but was unable to break into the steel safe where they were kept. Instead, the two boys broke into the home of Golden's grandparents and stole the guns hanging on display on the wall.

 
  1. John Kifner, "Tragic Day Started With Theft of Guns, Van," The New York Times, 29 March 1998, sec. A, p. 4.
  2. "Stolen Van, Stolen Guns and Five Stolen Lives; Jonesboro's Day of Tragedy Ended With the Words: �Grandpa, I Took Your Guns,'" The New York Times, 29 March 1998, sec. A, p. 1.
  3. Julie Cart, "Painful Burials Begin in Grieving Arkansas Town," Los Angeles Times, 28 March 1998, sec. A, p. 1.
  4. Farrell Kramer, "Ark. Suspects Used Powerful Rifles," Associated Press, 3 April 1998.
  5. "Clinton Announces on Radio Grant Targeting Youth Violence," Associated Press, 11 September 1999.
  6. Brian Cofer and Kenneth Heard, "Husband Says �Oldest of These 2' Shot Wife," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9 August 1998, sec. A, p. 1.
  7. Gerrard Aziakou, "Alleged Sniper Boys Appear at Juvenile Hearing on Murder Charges," Agence-France Presse, 26 March 1998.
  8. David A. Lieb, "Grandfather: Suspect in School Shooting Admits Stealing Guns," Associated Press, 25 March 1998.
  9. Jenny Price, "Shooting Suspects Had Hunting Rifles; Guns Made to Kill Big Animals From Afar," Associated Press, 28 March 1998.
  10. "Arkansas School Shootings: Authorities Provide Further Details at Press Conference," CNN, 27 March 1998.

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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.