Editor’s note: This story appeared on Sept. 25, 2022 — the 40th anniversary of the murder spree of George Banks, who died Sunday at the age of 83. Several attempts to reach James Olson were unsuccessful.

PLAINS TWP. — James Olson rolled up the sleeve of his sweatshirt to reveal his tattoo — “Sole Survivor ’82.”

The tattoo is a stark reminder of a tragic day not just in Olson’s life, but for Luzerne County.

On Sept. 25, 1982, mass murderer George Banks shot and killed 13 people, including five of his own children.

He also shot another person who survived — James Olson.

Olson, now 62, lives in Plains Township. He’s retired and lives with his mother and he enjoys his backyard garden and his new big screen TV.

But the memory of the early morning of Sept. 25, 1982, will never go away.

Ol

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