21 Photos of the Horrific 1984 California McDonald’s
Massacre
historycollection.com/21-photos-horrific-1984-san-ysidro-mcdonalds-massacre
July 18, 2017
The San Ysidro McDonald’s massacre was a mass shooting that occurred in and around a
McDonald’s in the San Ysidro neighborhood of San Diego on July 18, 1984. 41-year old
James Huberty shot and killed 21 people and injured 19 others before he was fatally shot
by the SWAT team.
On July 15, 1954, Huberty mentioned to his wife, Etna, that he might be mentally ill. Two
days later, on July 17, Huberty called a mental health clinic requesting an appointment.
The following morning, the morning before the massacre, Huberty took his wife and his
daughters to the San Diego Zoo. Huberty told his wife that he felt as if his life was over
because the mental health clinic never returned his phone call. He stated that “society had
their chance.”
When they returned home from the zoo, Huberty kissed his wife goodbye and told her
that he was “going hunting humans.”
At about 4:00 in the afternoon, Huberty pulled into the McDonald’s parking lot. The
shooting began.
At 5:17, the SWAT sniper on the roof of the post office across the street had a clear view of
Huberty. He fired a single round, killing Huberty.
McDonald’s donated the land to the city and a monument has been erected on the
grounds, commemorating the deceased.
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Gunman at the McDonalds shooting in San Ysidoro, Calif., James Oliver Huberty. (ASSOCIATED
PRESS)
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Etna Huberty (pictured), wife of killer James Huberty, said she had no idea what he was planning.
Daily Mail
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James Huberty, I’ll give you 100 yds AR15
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On July 18, 1984, he took his family to the San Diego Zoo. Afterward, he told his wife
that he was going hunting humans and went to a McDonald’s in San Ysidro. Armed with
three guns, he killed 21 people and wounded 19 more. Pinterest
A bloodied victim is led away by police as SWAT officers assist the wounded at a McDonald’s
restaurant, July 18, 1984 in San Ysidro, California. AP Photo
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The massacre lasted for 77 minutes until Huberty was fatally shot by a SWAT team sniper.
Pinterest
6/17
According to witnesses, Huberty ran in, shouted ‘freeze’, then showered bullets. Daily Mail
San Diego Police officers escort out McDonald’s employees after gunman James Oliver Huberty shot
and killed 20 people and injured 20 others on July 18, 1984. (UNION-TRIBUNE : JAMES
SKOVMAND: CORBIS)
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Staff screamed as they ran out of the diner in horror on July 18, 1984. Daily Mail
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A San Diego Police Officer escorts a woman away from the scene in San Ysidro. Daily Mail
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Wounded boy being led away from the
scene. Murderpedia
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Woman sits in shock after the massacre.
Murderpedia
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Grieving survivors of the massacre. ABC
A McDonald’s window riddled with bullet holes. ABC
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Paramedics treat a survivor. ABC
SWAT rush to the scene. ABC
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SWAT member trying to take out Hubert. ABC
SWAT prepare to enter the McDonald’s. ABC
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Investigators look for evidence in the parking lot of the San Diego, Calif., McDonald’s restaurant in
July, 1984, following a shooting massacre. (VINCE BUCCI:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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McDonalds Memorial – Memorial for all the people killed in the July 18, 1984 massacre.
Pinterest
Sources For Further Reading:
Murderpedia – James Oliver HUBERTY
The New York Times – Mass Killer Is Recalled As A Gun-Loving Youth
The Washington Post – Huberty Was an Angry Man Searching for a Better Way of Life
Associate Press – Life Hasn’t Gotten Easier, Gunman’s Widow Says
UPI – Mass Killer’s Widow Thinks Massacre Could Have Been Prevented
API – Judge Considers Huberty Wife’s Claim That Food, Metals Triggered Violence
UPI – The Widow Of Mass Slayer James Huberty Has Received The First Grant From The
$1.2 Million
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The San Diego Union Tribune – Daughter Of Mcdonald’s Killer Has Advice For San
Bernardino Shooters’ Baby
Baltimore Sun – Sister Of Mcdonald’s Massacre Victim Aims Tough Questions At Ex-Cop
The New York Times – Weapons Used By Killer Said To Be Easy To Obtain
Maclean’s – The Massacre At Mcdonald’s
San Diego News – Shot In The Head: 32 Years Later, Mcdonald’s Massacre Survivor
Shares Her Story
CBS8 – Memorial Held For Victims Of Mcdonald’s Massacre On 37th Anniversary Of
Deadly Shooting
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