January 29, 2012, The Examiner (Washington, D.C.), Sixteen-year-old girl shoots up school, by Scott McCabe,

January 29, 2012, The Examiner (Washington, D.C.), Sixteen-year-old girl shoots up school, by Scott McCabe, 281 words

On this day, Jan. 29, in 1979, 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two men and wounded nine children outside a school in San Diego, inspiring the Boomtown Rats song I Dont Like Mondays.

At about 8:30 a.m., Spencer fired her rifle from her home across from Grover Cleveland Elementary School, killing the principal and janitor.

A San Diego Tribune reporter began calling homes near the school looking for eyewitnesses.

After Spencer picked up his call, he soon realized he was talking to the shooter. He asked why she was doing it, and Spencer replied, I like red and blue jackets. I just dont like Mondays. This livens up the day.

Spencer was sentenced to 25 years to life, and remains in prison. Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof went on to found Live Aid and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Scott McCabe