On this day February 24 1984 Tyrone Mitchell opened fire on students outside 49th Street Elementary School in Los Angeles California killing two children and injuring twelve others before taking his own life. The tragic attack was one of the earliest instances of school violence that shocked the nation.
Mitchell fired from the second story window of his home located across the street from the school. Armed with a rifle and shotgun he targeted children leaving the school at the end of the day. Panic and chaos erupted as students and staff tried to take cover. The victims included ten children and two adults with eight year old Carlos Lopez and ten year old Mariana Herrera losing their lives.
Mitchell who had lost his entire family in the Jonestown mass suicide in 1978 had reportedly struggled with mental health issues in the years leading up to the attack. Authorities later discovered a disturbing stockpile of weapons and ammunition in his home.
This tragedy brought renewed attention to the issues of gun violence and mental health awareness leading to increased discussions about school safety and firearm regulations.
80s insight: The house from which Mitchell carried out the shooting was demolished after the attack and turned into a memorial garden in honor of the victims.