By: E&P Staff The Omaha World-Herald has quickly provided close coverage of the shooting spree at the local Westroads Mall Wednesday that left nine dead, including the shooter Robert A. Hawkins, who was, inevitably, dressed in camouflage fatigues.
Among other tidbits: He had just been fired from his job at a local McDonald's today, accused of stealing $17
Also: He fell just short of eclipsing the murder record of famed 1950s thrill killer Charles Starkweather, who slew 10, inspiring several Hollywood movies.
Hawkins left a suicide note, and local TV claimed that it stated that he wanted to "go out in style."
"His previous criminal history includes an arrest Friday in Sarpy County on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a child, being a minor in possession of or dispensing alcohol and being a minor in possession of an open alcoholic container," the paper reports.
"He was also found guilty in 2005 of disorderly conduct and sentenced to seven days in jail. Also in 2005, he was charged with intent to deliver a controlled substance, but the charge was dismissed by prosecutors."
The paper's reporters filed dozens of items on a blog-type section of their Web site, mainly brief eyewitness accounts from shoppers.
A friend told a local TV outlet: "He wanted to go out like a star. He had a rough life. He was a good guy. I loved him."
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here