Teenage killer targets students nearby, says 'I don't like Mondays'

The first known elementary school shooting in the history of the United States was a calamity that could have been averted.

On January 29, 1979, panic swept through the scene as 16-year-old Brenda Spencer opened fire on the community of an elementary school situated across from her residence in San Diego, California.

That morning, Spencer observed as the pupils at Grover Cleveland Elementary School awaited principal Burton Wragg to unlock the gates for the school day to begin. 

Among those present, she specifically targeted a 9-year-old, Cam Miller, for wearing blue, a color she fancied, according to the San Diego County District Attorney.

As chaos erupted among the children, and few adults endeavored to usher them to safety, Spencer persisted in her attack. 

Principal Wragg, aged 52, and teacher Daryl Barnes were among those killed, along with custodian Mike Suchar, 56.

By the end, eight youngsters were hurt, along with a police officer, before authorities positioned a garbage truck as a barricade to shield the building from additional gunshots.

The authorities found themselves confronted with a tense situation, as Spencer remained barricaded in her residence for hours until plans for her arrest were finalised. 

During this period, she responded to a reporter's phone call, declaring, "I dislike Mondays. They make the day more interesting."

Spencer eventually exited her home, surrendering to officials upon the condition of a stop at Burger King before being processed.

The teenager, at 16, faced trial as an adult on charges including two counts of murder, nine of attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. 

She had been notably troubled, frequently observed taking down birds in her neighborhood, as noted by The Evening Independent.

Spencer experienced an arrest during the summer of 1978 for burglary at the very same school she would later shoot up. 

Debates remain about whether she had previously attempted to fire at the school’s windows with a lower-caliber weapon prior to the burglary.

Still under probation later that year, her probation officer pushed for a psychiatric assessment, advising inpatient mental treatment, though her father declined treatment. 

For Christmas, he provided her with a .22 caliber rifle accompanied by 500 rounds of ammunition, which she later employed in the incident.

During that summer, the Boomtown Rats released a track titled "I Don't Like Mondays," inspired by the event. Singer Bob Geldof explained the story behind the song, which was successful in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.

On April 4, 1980, Spencer conceded to two murder charges and assault with a deadly weapon, with further charges dismissed. 

This plea came a day post her 18th birthday. She received concurrent sentences of 25 years to life with the potential for parole.

In 1993, she first pursued parole, attributing her teenage misdeeds to drugs and alcohol, although no such substances were detected post-crime. Her request was refuted.

In 2001, she reapplied, introducing accusations of paternal abuse, though these claims were contested due to their previous absence.

Subsequent denial followed in 2005, 2009, and 2022. Her most recent attempt in February 2025 was denied, with San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan sharing insights about the ruling.