In the 1960s, law enforcement around the country saw a shift in criminal behavior. Local police departments struggled to deal with a rise in high-profile crimes committed against civilians and police officers. These crimes often occurred in public areas, with criminals armed with high-powered rifles. One of the most notable incidents occurred on Aug. 1, 1966.
Charles Whitman, a former Marine and honor student at the University of Texas, climbed to the top of the University of Texas clock tower building with three rifles, two pistols, and a shotgun. In the next 96 minutes, he murdered more than a dozen people and wounded 30 more, targeting people at random as they strolled the college campus and nearby sidewalks. Responding officers couldn’t effectively stop Whitman with their service weapons and soon became targets themselves. A group of police officers formulated a plan to use an underground tunnel on campus to infiltrate the clock tower and reach Whitman, who was on the 27th floor. A gunfight ensued, and two officers, armed with a pistol and a shotgun, killed Whitman.
