A tragic incident that occurred in 1979 involving Brenda Spencer, who at 16 years old, committed a heinous act by killing two adults, injuring eight school children, and shooting a police officer at a school in San Diego, has left a lasting impact. Referred to as the first school shooter, Spencer’s actions were unimaginable at the time. However, the frequency of school shootings in the US has since escalated, with an average of 79 incidents annually since 2020, as reported by CNN.
N Leigh Hunt, a crime historian and broadcaster, sheds light on this dark event in his new book titled “I Don’t Like Mondays – The True Story Behind America’s First Modern School Shooting.” Hunt coins the term “school shooter” in reference to Spencer’s attack on defenseless children. Reflecting on the tragic day of January 29, 1979, Hunt recalls the chilling details surrounding the incident.
Despite the lack of precise data on the number of school shootings and casualties following Spencer’s rampage, it is estimated that over 1,300 shooter incidents have occurred in US schools since 1970. Notable tragedies such as the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 have deeply scarred the nation.
The prevalence of school shootings has led to the implementation of lockdown drills in schools across the US, with some institutions conducting active shooter drills and revising emergency protocols. Spencer, who had a troubled upbringing, wielded a rifle given to her by her father and carried out the attack, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Currently serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Women, Spencer has undergone rehabilitation programs while maintaining a low profile in prison. Despite the global attention garnered by the incident, the repercussions of Spencer’s actions continue to haunt society. Hunt emphasizes the lasting impact of the tragedy and questions Spencer’s understanding of her actions and their consequences.
The narrative of Spencer’s crime inspired the creation of the iconic song “I Don’t Like Mondays” by the British band The Boomtown Rats. Although the song achieved international success, particularly in the UK and Ireland, it failed to make a significant impact in the US. Hunt reflects on the evolving landscape of such violent acts in society and the broader implications of school shootings.