Date: July 12, 2016
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: Assistant District Attorney Dan Wagner of the Homicide Unit
WHAT: Will be speaking at a memorial vigil in honor of the 40th anniversary of one of the largest mass shootings in Orange County history.
On July 12, 1976, Edward Allaway, a janitor for California State University, Fullerton, entered the campus library and opened fire. He tracked down and shot co-workers and other library patrons. Seven victims were murdered, and two more were shot and survived. Allaway called the police to turn himself in shortly after he ran out of ammunition.
On Aug. 16, 1977, Allaway was found guilty by a jury of six felony counts of first degree murder, one felony count of second degree murder, and two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon. On Nov. 16, 1977, Allaway began serving a life sentence in Atascadero State Mental Hospital after being found not guilty by reason of insanity. Since 1995, he has been held at Patton State Hospital.
Allaway filed formal petitions for release in 1986, 1991, 1994, and 2000. Each time, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) vigorously opposed his release in court. Patton State Hospital recommended his release in 2004 and 2010, and the OCDA’s advocacy was instrumental in blocking Allaway’s release. The OCDA convinced the court to deny Allaway’s petitions and holds that he would pose an unreasonable risk to public safety if released.
The candlelight vigil is being organized by members of the victims’ families.
WHEN: Tonight, July 12, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Memorial Grove, California State University, Fullerton, 800 North State College Boulevard