San Ysidro McDonald's massacre

San Ysidro McDonald's massacre was a mass shooting that occurred in and around a McDonald's restaurant in the San Ysidro neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States, on July 18, 1984. The perpetrator, 41-year-old James Huberty, killed 21 people and injured 19 others before being fatally shot by a SWAT team sniper.

Background

James Huberty, a 41-year-old out-of-work security guard, was the perpetrator of the massacre. He was born in Canton, Ohio, and had a history of mental health issues. Prior to the massacre, Huberty had sought help for his mental health problems but was unable to receive the treatment he needed.

The Massacre

On the day of the massacre, Huberty drove to the McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun. He began shooting indiscriminately at customers and employees, causing mass panic and chaos. The massacre lasted for 77 minutes, during which time Huberty fired hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Aftermath

The San Ysidro McDonald's massacre was at the time the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history. It led to a reevaluation of police tactics and the development of new procedures for dealing with similar situations in the future. The massacre also sparked a debate about gun control in the United States, a debate that continues to this day.

Legacy

The San Ysidro McDonald's massacre had a profound impact on the community of San Ysidro and the nation as a whole. The site of the massacre was demolished and a memorial was erected in honor of the victims. The event has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and academic studies.

See also

• List of massacres in the United States
• Gun violence in the United States
• Mental health in the United States