Events on January 7 in history

Mark Essex fatally shoots ten people and wounds 13 others at Howard Johnson's Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, before being shot to death by police officers.

Mark James Robert Essex: The "New Orleans Sniper" and His Violent Legacy

Mark James Robert Essex (August 12, 1949 – January 7, 1973) emerged tragically as an American serial sniper and a figure profoundly shaped by radicalized black nationalist ideologies. Infamously known as the "New Orleans Sniper," Essex was responsible for a harrowing spree of violence in New Orleans, Louisiana, culminating in two distinct and devastating attacks on December 31, 1972, and January 7, 1973. His actions resulted in the deaths of nine people, including five law enforcement officers, and left twelve others wounded, deeply scarring the city and highlighting the escalating racial tensions of the era.

Early Life, Military Service, and Radicalization

Born in Queens, New York, Mark Essex's early life offered few clues to the path he would ultimately take. However, his experience in the United States Navy, which he joined in 1969, proved to be a pivotal turning point. During his service, Essex reportedly encountered significant and pervasive racial discrimination. These experiences, which he perceived as deeply unjust and systemically ingrained, fueled a growing resentment towards white authority figures and institutions. After repeated absences and disciplinary issues, Essex received an undesirable discharge from the Navy, further solidifying his grievances and sense of alienation. Following his military service, Essex briefly aligned himself with a New York-based branch of the Black Panthers, an organization advocating for Black Power and civil rights, often through militant self-defense. While his association with the group was short-lived, the Black Panthers' rhetoric regarding racial injustice and police brutality resonated with and perhaps amplified his increasingly extremist anti-police and anti-white views. His personal interpretation of black nationalism evolved into a more violent and vengeful ideology.

The Baton Rouge Incident: A Catalyst for Violence

A critical event believed to have solidified Essex's increasingly extremist views occurred in November 1972. This incident involved a violent clash between Baton Rouge police officers and student civil rights demonstrators at Southern University. On November 16, 1972, police responded to a student protest, which escalated tragically when officers opened fire, killing two young black demonstrators, Denver Smith and Leonard Brown. For Essex, this event was not merely an isolated incident but a profound confirmation of his belief in systemic state-sanctioned violence against African Americans. It is widely understood that this confrontation served as a direct catalyst, prompting Essex to vow revenge against law enforcement and white individuals whom he held responsible for racial oppression.

The New Orleans Sniper Attacks (December 1972 - January 1973)

December 31, 1972: The Initial Attack

Essex initiated his deadly campaign on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1972. His first victim was a white New Orleans Police Department cadet, Alfred Harrell, Jr., whom he ambushed and fatally shot in the back of the head. Shortly thereafter, Essex continued his rampage, killing Joe Perniciaro, a white dry cleaner employee, and wounding several others as he made his escape. This initial attack sent shockwaves through the city and marked the chilling beginning of his reign of terror.

January 7, 1973: The Howard Johnson Hotel Siege

The violence escalated dramatically on January 7, 1973. Essex, seeking a vantage point for a more widespread attack, took refuge on the 18th floor of the downtown Howard Johnson's Hotel (now the Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter). From this elevated position, he began indiscriminately sniping at pedestrians, vehicles, and eventually, the massive contingent of police officers responding to the unfolding crisis. The ensuing siege paralyzed the city's central business district and became one of the largest urban shootouts in U.S. history.

During this intense confrontation, five New Orleans police officers were killed: Paul St. Pierre, Philip Coleman, Edwin Hosford, Jr., Meffre J. Clark, and Daniel F. O'Brien. Additionally, seven other officers and four civilians sustained injuries. The response from law enforcement was unprecedented, involving hundreds of officers, SWAT teams, and even armored vehicles and helicopters, as they strategically converged on the hotel to neutralize the threat. The relentless firefight continued for hours, culminating in a dramatic and violent confrontation on the hotel's rooftop. Cornered by the overwhelming police presence, Mark Essex was ultimately shot and killed by law enforcement officers, bringing an end to his deadly rampage. The total body count from his two attacks stood at nine fatalities and twelve wounded.

Legacy and Impact

The Mark James Robert Essex case remains a significant and somber chapter in American history. It not only highlighted the potential for extremist violence driven by deeply held grievances but also forced a difficult public reckoning with issues of racial injustice, police accountability, and the complexities of black nationalist movements in the early 1970s. The events in New Orleans spurred discussions nationwide about de-escalation tactics, community-police relations, and the systemic factors that could contribute to such violent outbreaks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mark James Robert Essex

Who was Mark James Robert Essex?

Mark James Robert Essex was an American serial sniper and black nationalist, infamous for a series of deadly attacks in New Orleans in late 1972 and early 1973. He became known as the "New Orleans Sniper" for his actions, which resulted in nine deaths and twelve injuries.

What motivated Mark Essex's attacks?

Essex's motivations were rooted in extreme black nationalist views and deep-seated animosity towards white people and police officers. This animosity reportedly stemmed from severe racial discrimination he experienced during his service in the U.S. Navy and was significantly solidified by a violent clash between police and civil rights demonstrators in Baton Rouge in November 1972, where two young black men were killed.

How many people did Mark Essex kill?

Mark Essex killed a total of nine people, including five police officers, and wounded twelve others across two separate attacks in New Orleans.

Where did the main attack occur in New Orleans?

The primary and most extended attack by Mark Essex took place at the Howard Johnson's Hotel (now the Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter) in downtown New Orleans on January 7, 1973. He used the hotel's 18th floor as a sniper's nest.

How did the authorities respond to the New Orleans sniper?

The response to Mark Essex was an unprecedented police operation in New Orleans. It involved hundreds of officers, specialized tactical units (SWAT), armored vehicles, and even helicopters, culminating in a direct assault on the Howard Johnson's Hotel and a prolonged rooftop gun battle where Essex was ultimately killed.

Was Mark Essex affiliated with the Black Panthers?

Mark Essex was a former member of a New York-based branch of the Black Panthers. While he had left the organization, their militant rhetoric against racial injustice and police brutality is believed to have influenced his evolving extremist views, which ultimately led to his violent actions.