Christopher Peterson (serial killer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Peterson dubbed the "Shotgun Killer" is an American serial killer
who confessed to shooting seven people with a shotgun, in a killing spree spanning from October 30, 1990 to December 18, 1990 in Indiana. Peterson was convicted to two death sentences because of his confession. Today he recants the confession, saying authorities forced him to say he was the killer. Peterson was granted post-conviction relief and removed from death row in 2004.
Peterson's claims have some credibility, as eyewitness testimonies suggested that the assailant was white rather than black.
have made a song about him, titled "Shotgun Peterson". It features on their Sinister Slaughter
album.
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
who confessed to shooting seven people with a shotgun, in a killing spree spanning from October 30, 1990 to December 18, 1990 in Indiana. Peterson was convicted to two death sentences because of his confession. Today he recants the confession, saying authorities forced him to say he was the killer. Peterson was granted post-conviction relief and removed from death row in 2004.
Murders
- October 30, 1990: Insurance agent Lawrence Mills was shot to death in his car in front of the American Legion Post 66 in Griffith. No eyewitnesses.
- October 30, 1990: Two and a half hours later, Rhonda L. Hammersley, who worked at a gas station in Cedar LakeCedar Lake-Cities, towns, townships etc.:*Cedar Lake, Indiana*Cedar Lake Township, Minnesota in Scott County, Minnesota*Cedar Lake, New Jersey*Cedar Lake, Texas*Cedar Lake, Wisconsin, a town in Barron County-Lakes:United States...
, was shot in the parking lot. An eyewitness described the perpetrator as a young white man with long, stringy hair. - December 13, 1990: Harchand Singh Dhaliwal (54) was shot while working at a gas station. $327.55 was missing from the cash register.
- December 15, 1990: Marie Meitzler was shot while working at a motel reception desk. $467 was stolen.
- December 15, 1990: Six minutes later, Ora L. Wildermuth was shot in front of an automated teller machine.
- December 15, 1990: One hour later, Robert S. Kotso was shot in a highway toll booth. He survived.
- December 18, 1990: Brothers Eli and George Balovski were shot in an adjoining building to their tailor shop in the late afternoon. They were the last victims.
False confession
Peterson maintains his innocence despite confessing to the murders. He claims he did so under duress. Peterson was granted post-conviction relief and re-sentenced to 120 years in prison December 12, 2004.Peterson's claims have some credibility, as eyewitness testimonies suggested that the assailant was white rather than black.
Song
American death metal/grindcore band MacabreMacabre (band)
Macabre is an extreme metal band from Illinois. They were formed in 1985 in Chicago, Illinois, and have never had a line-up change. They blend thrash metal, death metal, and grindcore to form their own unique style dubbed murder metal...
have made a song about him, titled "Shotgun Peterson". It features on their Sinister Slaughter
Sinister Slaughter
Sinister Slaughter is the second full-length album by American Death Metal band Macabre and was released in 1993 by Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork is a parody on the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band featuring serial killers and mass murderers instead of famous people...
album.