Happy Monday, readers!
No one likes Monday, but no one hates Monday as much as Brenda Spencer.
Brenda Spencer is one of the first school shooters in U.S.history. On Monday, January 29, 1979, sixteen-year-old Spencer began shooting students from her front porch across the street from Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego. She lived with her father across the street from the school. Brenda had a rough home life and was subjected to physical and sexual abuse. She also suffered from depression and suicidal tendencies. She had a negative view of police and mentioned wanting to kill an officer. Later, she claimed to have started shooting at the school to commit suicide by cop. She has since claimed to feel responsible for modern-day school shootings.
After barricading herself for seven hours, Brenda relented and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in 1980. She killed the school’s principal and custodian.She also injuried eight children and one police officer.
When asked why she committed the crime, Brenda’s answer was simply, “I don’t like Mondays.”
Spencer’s parole has been rejected three times. She is currently housed in the California Institution for Women in Chino, California.
Fun fact: Manson Family killers Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten are also in the same prison. Susan Atkins was an inmate at the same facility until she was transferred in 2008.
A Murder Most Foul 
