According to THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE of January 5, 1975 Anthony Barbaro left his house on December 30, 1974 telling his 10-year-old brother Chris that he was going target shooting. Tony carried his 30-06 rifle with a new telescopic sight, but instead of going target shooting he drove to Olean High School, arriving at 2:50PM.
Paul Pancio and his young friend threw snowballs at the car, but Tony ignored them. When he got out of the car he left the motor running. The school was closed for the holidays, but he entered through a side door. Two girls saw him and followed him up to the third floor student council room, noticing that he carried two guns. They left as Tony was trying to open the locked door. Not succeeding, he shot out the lock, set off a smoke bomb in the hall, entered and shut the door. The school custodian approached and Tony, seeing him through the glass, shot him in the heart. A fire alarm went off. Whether Tony or the custodian had set it off no one knew for sure.
Tony then stationed himself at the window and began firing. He shot a 25-year-old divorced mother of four driving by in her car. He killed a 58-year-old gas meter reader. Then, as the firemen approached, Tony began to mow them down. Twelve others were wounded by gunshot or broken glass.
It wasn't until more than 100 state and local police arrived and a police bullhorn bellowed repeatedly, "Man in the school--surrender." that Tony dropped his shotgun and rifle to the ground. It was 4:30 P.M. The police approached the upstairs room cautiously and threw a tear gas grenade through the window. They found Tony on the floor coughing from the fumes despite the fact that he was wearing a mail order gas mask.
When a school guard, Michael Barbaro, saw Tony's face he cried out, "Oh, my God, that's my nephew."
It was unbelievable. Tony was an honor student, a scholarship winner, a member of the National Honor Society, a lover of reading, a big brother of a close-knit family of six. He helped his younger sisters and brothers and had never caused any trouble. He worked 20 hours a week as a bus boy in the same restaurant where his mother was a chashier, and where he was always prompt and ready to help. Tony had hoped to be a scientist or engineer.
According to his English teacher Tony was brilliant and considerate. Neither guidance counselors nor teachers indicated any problem. He taught other students about gun safety. Tony's uncle said, "To me, he was a perfect kid. All I can say is, something snapped."
It was reported he was wearing headphones playing "Jesus Christ Superstar." |
