Serial Shooter
Encyclopedia
The Serial Shooter refers to what authorities now believe to be two men who committed multiple drive-by shootings targeting random pedestrians. The shootings occurred in Phoenix, Arizona
, United States, between May 2005 and August 2006, simultaneous to the search for the serial killer known as the Baseline Killer
who was also committing random murders of brutality and sexual assault. Investigators believe the Serial Shooter(s) were responsible for eight murders and at least 29 other shootings in the Phoenix area (some reports put the number as high as 38 incidents).
. According to police, Robin Blasnek, 22, was shot and killed at approximately 11:15 p.m. while walking from her parents' house to a friend's house after having an argument with her boyfriend. On August 3, Phoenix police released a statement linking Blasnek's murder to the Serial Shooter, citing forensic evidence and other similarities to the Serial Shooters' past crimes. Prior to that, they shot pedestrians, cyclists, dogs and horses. Phoenix police originally believed that the Serial Shooter was a single individual responsible for 4 murders and 25 shootings beginning in May 2005, and that a series of 13 shootings in the same area were the work of another offender. However, on July 11, 2006, investigators revealed that they believed the two series of shootings were related.
In an audio recording that was presented at trial, a police wiretap records Hausner and Dieteman discussing the shootings in graphic detail.
.
On the morning of August 4, 2006, Phoenix police announced two arrests had been made in connection with the Serial Shooter. The suspects have been identified as Dale S. Hausner and Samuel John Dieteman. Authorities said they have also linked Hausner and Dieteman to two arson fires at Wal-Mart
stores on June 8, started 45 minutes apart from each other that caused approximately $7 to $10 million in damage.
s, firearms charges, cruelty to animals
and arson
. Hausner was convicted on 6 of 8 murders, and 80 out of 87 charges overall on March 13, 2009.
Hausner's former roommate, Samuel Dieteman, has pleaded guilty to two murders, plus conspiracy
to commit some of the other related murders. Dieteman receives a sentence of life without parole.
On March 27, 2009, Dale Hausner was sentenced to six death penalties. Hausner had previously ordered his lawyers not to argue against persuading jurors to deliver the death sentences, saying the jurors should put him to death to help the victims' families heal. He fell short of confessing any guilt for the convicted crimes. Hausner is not expected to appeal.
During Hausner's 1/2-hour ramble to the jury right before sentencing, he apologized to several people including his family. He stated that he ruined the family name, as people would hear the Hausner name and think of Charles Manson
. He even compared himself to Charles Manson. "When you think of Manson, 50 years from now you'll think of Hausner", he said.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, United States, between May 2005 and August 2006, simultaneous to the search for the serial killer known as the Baseline Killer
Baseline Killer
The Baseline Killer was one of the two simultaneously occurring serial killer cases which terrorized the Phoenix metro area, between August 2005 and June 2006....
who was also committing random murders of brutality and sexual assault. Investigators believe the Serial Shooter(s) were responsible for eight murders and at least 29 other shootings in the Phoenix area (some reports put the number as high as 38 incidents).
Crimes
The Serial Shooters' most recent crime occurred July 30, 2006 in MesaMesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
. According to police, Robin Blasnek, 22, was shot and killed at approximately 11:15 p.m. while walking from her parents' house to a friend's house after having an argument with her boyfriend. On August 3, Phoenix police released a statement linking Blasnek's murder to the Serial Shooter, citing forensic evidence and other similarities to the Serial Shooters' past crimes. Prior to that, they shot pedestrians, cyclists, dogs and horses. Phoenix police originally believed that the Serial Shooter was a single individual responsible for 4 murders and 25 shootings beginning in May 2005, and that a series of 13 shootings in the same area were the work of another offender. However, on July 11, 2006, investigators revealed that they believed the two series of shootings were related.
Characteristics of crimes
The Serial Shooter attacked from a vehicle without warning. The offender targeted victims who walked, biked or were otherwise alone outside, usually between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Victims appear to have been targeted randomly.In an audio recording that was presented at trial, a police wiretap records Hausner and Dieteman discussing the shootings in graphic detail.
Suspects
- Dale S. Hausner, 33, had worked as a custodian at Phoenix Sky Harbor International AirportPhoenix Sky Harbor International AirportPhoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located southeast of the central business district of the city of Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States...
since 1999 as well as a boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
photojournalist for RingSports and Fightnews.com. - Samuel John Dieteman, 31, had a history of petty crimes such as shoplifting and drunk driving and had returned to Arizona a few years prior from Minnesota.
Capture
According to reports, police first identified Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman as suspects on July 31, 2006, through tips received from the community, mainly from Ron Horton who died before he could testify at trial. On August 3, 2006, police arrested both suspects outside of their apartment in Mesa, ArizonaMesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
.
On the morning of August 4, 2006, Phoenix police announced two arrests had been made in connection with the Serial Shooter. The suspects have been identified as Dale S. Hausner and Samuel John Dieteman. Authorities said they have also linked Hausner and Dieteman to two arson fires at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
stores on June 8, started 45 minutes apart from each other that caused approximately $7 to $10 million in damage.
Trial
Hausner was charged with 87 crimes attributed to the Serial Shooter investigation, including 8 murders, 19 attempted murders, numerous aggravated assaults, drive-by shootingDrive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a form of hit-and-run tactic, a personal attack carried out by an individual or individuals from a moving or momentarily stopped vehicle without use of headlights to avoid being noticed. It often results in bystanders being shot instead of, or as well as, the intended target...
s, firearms charges, cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
and arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
. Hausner was convicted on 6 of 8 murders, and 80 out of 87 charges overall on March 13, 2009.
Hausner's former roommate, Samuel Dieteman, has pleaded guilty to two murders, plus conspiracy
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
to commit some of the other related murders. Dieteman receives a sentence of life without parole.
On March 27, 2009, Dale Hausner was sentenced to six death penalties. Hausner had previously ordered his lawyers not to argue against persuading jurors to deliver the death sentences, saying the jurors should put him to death to help the victims' families heal. He fell short of confessing any guilt for the convicted crimes. Hausner is not expected to appeal.
During Hausner's 1/2-hour ramble to the jury right before sentencing, he apologized to several people including his family. He stated that he ruined the family name, as people would hear the Hausner name and think of Charles Manson
Charles Manson
Charles Milles Manson is an American criminal who led what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune that arose in California in the late 1960s. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders carried out by members of the group at his instruction...
. He even compared himself to Charles Manson. "When you think of Manson, 50 years from now you'll think of Hausner", he said.
External links
- Uncut wiretap recordings of Hausner and Dieteman discussing shootings (Graphic)
- Updated map including victim names and all crimes linked to the case
- Map of Where Serial Shooter and Baseline Killer crimes occurred
- Timeline of Serial Shooter Crimes - Shootings, Animal Shootings, and Homicides
- Dale Hausner AZ Dept. of Corrections information