Fort Hood area scene of '91 massacre

KILEEN, Texas, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The Fort Hood, Texas, area where several people were shot to death Thursday was the scene of a 1991 mass shooting.

Two dozen people died on Oct. 16, 1991, when George Hennard drove his pickup truck through the window of a Luby's in nearby Killeen and opened fire.

The death toll eclipsed the infamous 1984 "McDonald's Massacre" in San Ysidro, Calif. In which 22 people, including gunman James Huberty, were killed and 19 others were wounded.

Luby's was a popular destination for Fort Hood personnel.

In a 2001 anniversary story, the Houston Chronicle said Hennard calmly dispatched customers as they cowered under their tables. The ordeal lasted for about 15 minutes until Hennard was wounded by police gunfire and then killed himself in a restroom.

Customer Tommy Vaughn was credited with allowing 20-30 customers to flee the building by hurling himself through a plate glass window and creating an escape route.

The investigation found evidence that the 35-year-old Hennard was suffering from mental problems and been angry and bitter about women in his hometown of Belton.