The principal who resorted to a gun
May 6, 1940: Soon after learning that he would be fired as principal of what was then South Pasadena Junior High School, Verlin Spencer pulled out a gun at a board meeting and shot six colleagues -- five fatally. The Times described the 38-year-old “striking with lightning precision and maniacal fury.†Cornered in the empty school cafeteria, Spencer shot himself in an attempted suicide, the newspaper said.
“A year ago, Spencer, a stern, advancement-seeking teacher who came to Pasadena seven years ago from Ventura ... was given a leave of absence for three weeks,†The Times said. “High-strung and fired with nervous driving energy, his work seemed to cause him to be critical of everyone.â€
Spencer pleaded guilty and was given five life sentences. He was paroled in 1970, on the condition that he leave California.
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