A Sniper In The Tower–The First School Shooting–Why Did He Do It?

A Sniper In The Tower–The First School Shooting–Why Did He Do It?

Author: Robert Riggs March 29, 2022 Duration: 53:54

Before Columbine. Before Sandy Hook. Before Virginia Tech.  There was the Sniper in the Tower at the University of Texas.

America’s first mass murder and school shooting unfolded on live television in Austin, Texas, more than a half-century ago.

Since then, the question has lingered, “Why did he do it?”

Gary Lavergne, the author of A Sniper in the Tower: The Charles Whitman Murders, addresses the whys and the myths about the why.

In this True Crime Reporter™, Confidential investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston take listeners back to 1966 when a student cut down fifty people in 96 minutes.

We have placed links in the show notes to black-and-white film footage from the shooting and a video of Gary Lavergne following the sniper’s trail to the top of the UT Tower


FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast 

SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter

THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.

TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT  that you want to hear more about


Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

True Crime Reporter
Podcast Episodes
Tales of Murder and Mayhem from Former Prosecutor Bill Johnston. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
The True Crime Reporter® Podcast features stories and interviews from the respective careers of investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston. Listeners have asked how both of them got invo…
From Convict To CEO — Turning Inmates Into Business Entrepreneurs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:21
Many U.S. prisons are trade schools for crime. High recidivism rates underscore the failure of the current criminal justice system. Released and rearrested inmates pass through an expensive revolving door. The Texas pris…
Police Waited To Subdue Killer While Uvalde School Children Lay Dying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:18
A 77-page report by a special committee of the Texas House of Representatives concluded that no one was able to stop the gunman from carrying out the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, in part because of “system…
A Love Triangle Ends In An Alleged Murderous Fit Of Jealous Rage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
25-year-old Anna Moriah Wilson, known as “Mo” was an up-and-coming professional cyclist in gravel racing. Friends described her as a beacon and light and energy. But another cyclist, Kailin Armstrong allegedly snuffed ou…
The Watergate Scandal  — A Tale Of Bribery And International Intrigue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:57
Many of you have asked how Robert became an investigative reporter. After all, most of the stories you hear on this podcast come from my reporter’s notebook. Riggs’ career path has zigged and zagged since I received a de…
Stop The Killing – How To End The Mass Shooting Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:41
Katherine Schweit headed up the FBI’s active shooter program, where she authored the bureau’s landmark research about mass shootings and how to respond best to save lives. In the wake of the massacre of children and thei…
She Butchered Her Sons And Took A Nap. She Was Freed To Kill. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:00
For many years, Texas had a law and order image. Politicians campaigned for office about getting tough on crime. A gubernatorial candidate’s TV ads featured actors wearing black and white overalls swinging sledgehammers…
Jail House Romances: Why Do Women Fall In Love With Serial Killers? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
Can you imagine yourself falling in love with a serial killer or murderer to the point you will give up your family, career, and even your life for them? A veteran Alabama jail officer, Vicky White, did just that in Apri…