A former California State University/Fullerton janitor who killed seven people at the university’s library on July 12, 1976, has been pronounced mentally fit and approved for release by state psychiatrists. Edward Charles Allaway, 62, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the shootings, and has spent most of his life since then in state hospitals. Allaway has applied for release three times in the past 25 years, and judges have denied the application each time. The new report may improve his chances, however.
Some members of the victims’ families are nervous about Allaway’s potential release: Patricia Alzaman, whose father was killed in the massacre, said “This would be the worst precedent in California—releasing a mass murderer.” Supervising doctors at the hospital that houses Allaway have said his illness is in remission and he no longer threatens society, according to the February 12 Modesto (Calif.) Bee.
In the 1976 slayings, Allaway walked through the university’s library and shot nine people, killing seven. Bibliographic Services Department Chair Donald Keran was wounded in the shoulder, then wrestled with Allaway and managed to dislodge the gun’s ammunition clip, preventing further deaths. Allaway was subdued shortly thereafter.
Posted February 19, 2001.