1984 - San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre

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The San Ysidro McDonald's massacre occurred on July 18, 1984, Beginning at approximately 3:56 PM and ending at 5:17 PM at McDonald's in San Ysidro, California, a district of San Diego, near the U.S.-Mexico border.

James Oliver Huberty, 41, was a former welder and security guard. Huberty had a history of violent tendencies and mental instability. He lost his job and believed the government was targeting him.

On July 17, 1984, he told his wife he believed he had a mental problem and called a mental health clinic. They failed to return his call. The next day, he told his wife he was "going to hunt humans."

He entered the restaurant at 3:56 PM, carrying multiple firearms, including a 9mm Uzi carbine (semi-automatic), Winchester 12-gauge pump-action shotgun & a .380 ACP pistol. Without warning, he opened fire on customers and employees, targeting men, women, and children without discretion.

Witnesses later recounted that he was calm and methodical in his shooting.

He executed entire families, including children as young as 4 months old.

He also taunted victims and made bizarre statements, including blaming society for his misfortunes.

First responders arrived within minutes, but officers initially believed it was a hostage situation. A SWAT team was deployed but hesitated to storm the building due to the lack of intelligence on the shooter’s exact location. At 5:17 PM, a police sniper, Charles Foster, positioned on a nearby post office rooftop, shot and killed Huberty with a single bullet to the chest.

Fatalities: 21 people killed (including children)

Injuries: 19 people wounded

Duration: 77 minutes

The victims ranged from 4 months to 74 years old and included families, children, and elderly individuals.

- Neva Caine (22) – McDonald's employee, shot while trying to shield a colleague.

- Florence Aceves (19) – McDonald's employee, shot near the counter.

- Margarita Padilla (18) – McDonald's employee, shot while working.

- Elsa Borboa-Fierro (19) – McDonald's employee, attempted to escape but was shot.

- Paulina López (21) – Killed while shielding her niece.

- Blythe Regan Herrera (31) – Teacher, eating lunch with her friend and baby when shot.

- María Colmenero Silva (48) – Visiting from Mexico, shot inside the restaurant.

- Gloria González (23) – Shot while inside McDonald's.

- Victor Rivera (25) – Attempted to shield others, killed.

- Hugo Velázquez-Vásquez (45) – Shot while trying to flee.

- Mateo Herrera (11) – Shot while sitting inside.

- Aida Velázquez (70) – Shot while inside McDonald's.

- Miguel Victoria Ulloa (74) – Shot while eating.

- Carlos Reyes (8 months) – Shot while being held by his mother.

- Claudia Pérez (9) – Killed while eating with her family.

- Omar Hernández (11) – Shot while sitting with his friend.

- David Delgado Pérez (11) – Killed while eating.

- Jackie Wright (9) – Killed while holding her younger brother.

- Aurora Peña (12) – Fatally wounded while shielding her little brother.

- José Pérez (9) – Shot while running for cover.

Injured Survivors (19 People Wounded but Survived)Injured Survivors (19 People Wounded but Survived)

- Keith Thomas (12) – Paralyzed from a bullet to the spine.

- Ronald Herrera (11) - Shot multiple times but survived.

- Albert Leos (17) – Shot in the stomach but survived.

- Carlos González (7) – Shot but survived.

- Imelda Pérez (12) – Wounded but played dead and survived.

- Guadalupe del Río (24) – Shot while trying to escape.

- David Flores (16) – Wounded but managed to crawl away.

- Lisa López (19) – Shot in the shoulder.

- Antonio Chávez (26) – Shot while sitting inside.

- Héctor Miranda (28) – Injured but survived.

- Francisco López (50s) – Shot but survived the attack.

- Maria Grazia (18) – McDonald's employee, survived by hiding.

- Aurora Peña (12) – Wounded while shielding her little brother.

- Josué Domínguez (10) – Shot while eating inside.

- Armando Farías (30s) – Shot in the leg but survived.

- Roberto Gutiérrez (41) – Wounded but able to escape.

- Margarita Rodríguez (18) – Shot but survived.

- Luis Enrique Domínguez (34) – Wounded but made it out alive.

- Ana María Zamora (22) – Shot but survived.