University President, Dr. Melinda Reagan explains, “It’s not surprising that we are the only private university in Texas to do this, simply because the unique nature of our students”. The architectural engineering student and Marine-trained sniper climbed to the observation deck of the 27-story structure in the heart of UT’s flagship Austin campus, armed with rifles, pistols and a sawed-off shotgun.
Advertisement
Surrounded by other survivors, some of the fearless officers who stopped the shooter that day and families of the victims, Wilson and others rededicated the university’s Tower Garden and unveiled a monument, a rock engraved with the names of those killed, donated by Cook-Walden Funeral Home.
At a memorial service attended by hundreds this afternoon, survivor Claire Wilson James, who lost her boyfriend and unborn fetus in the clock tower shooting, made an appeal to love and respect life. “Treasure the ones we walk with now, each moment”.
Officials told the Austin American-Statesman it was a coincidence that the law took effect 50 years to the day after the UT shooting.
The, law pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott and the Republican legislative majority, will make Texas one of a handful of states that guarantee the right for anyone with a concealed handgun license to take them to class. He said his job is to carry out the law while ensuring parents, students and faculty are safe.
“While we have reviewed the recommendations of Texas four-year colleges, we believe each institution is unique and will be working to formulate a policy that will fit Western Texas College”, she said.
“Did we learn nothing?” He has spoken to shooting survivors about the memorial. This includes students and staff.
Whitman had killed his mother and wife on the morning of August 1, 1966, before unleashing a barrage of bullets from the top of the tower.
It lasted roughly 45 minutes, less than half the time Whitman stood at the top of the tower picking off victim after victim. She witnessed bleeding bodies being ferried away, images that have stuck with her for five decades.
CTC spokesman Bruce Vasbinder said it was business as usual on campus Monday, but some students still expressed concern looking ahead to next year.
“It was moving. It was very lovely”, James said after the ceremony, during which organizers unveiled a pink granite memorial bearing the names of the dead. “I’m looking to this for closure”.
The University of Texas’ president Gregory Fenves said the emotionally charged issue might be little noticed on campus. He killed people both on campus and elsewhere that day. The tower’s clock has been stopped only once before: to mark the first anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. “It deserves to be remembered”.
Two hours after the shooting began, Whitman was killed by police officers.
Advertisement
“I wanted to be here for those that died”, he said.
