Luby’s massacre: 34 years ago, a lone shooter changed Killeen forever

On Oct. 16, 1991, Belton resident George Hennard drove his truck through the front of the Luby’s restaurant in Killeen and began shooting people before making his way to a restroom inside where he took his own life.

Using two semi-automatic pistols, Hennard killed 22 patrons in 12 minutes of mayhem. The 23rd victim died of her injuries days later, marking the worst mass shooting in U.S. history at that time. Since then, other mass shootings have claimed more lives.

In the years since, stories have been written in newspapers, there are several books on the subject and even podcasts, including one with former state Rep. Suzanna Gratia-Hupp, whose parents were victims on that day.

Her political platform included a push for individual constitutional rights, support of military families and