He left his house with a German Luger and a list of names. Ten minutes later, 13 people were dead.
In 1949, Howard Unruh shocked the nation with what many consider the first modern mass shooting in America. Dubbed “The Walk of Death,” the rampage was chilling in its precision—and even more complex in its aftermath. Behind the headlines was a man struggling with PTSD, rage, and deeply repressed sexuality. Though his name is rarely spoken today, Unruh’s motives—and his queer identity—force us to reckon with how early America understood (and ignored) mental illness and queer trauma.
This episode unpacks a case at the crossroads of violence, identity, and historical erasure.
Hosted by Jordi and Brad, Beers With Queers brings chilling crimes, queer stories, and twisted justice to light—all with a cold one in hand.
Press play, grab a drink, and join us as we uncover the darkest corners of LGBTQ+ history.
Sources
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/story-first-mass-murder-us-history-180956927/
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/national/090749nj-shoot.html
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