The Hungerford Massacre: A Town Shattered

(Trigger Warning: This post contains graphic descriptions of violence and may be disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.)

August 19th, 1987. A date etched in the collective memory of Hungerford, a quiet market town in Berkshire. On this day, 27-year-old Michael Ryan, a man described as "harmless" and "a bit weird" by those who knew him, unleashed a wave of violence that would leave 16 people dead and 15 injured. This is the chilling story of the Hungerford Massacre.

Ryan's day began at Savernake Forest, a place he frequented, claiming to practice survival skills. He had a disturbing fascination with stalking people in the woods, a chilling foreshadowing of the terror to come. Armed with a variety of weapons, including a Beretta pistol, an M1 carbine rifle, and a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, he encountered Susan Godfrey and her two young children picnicking in the forest. Ryan forced her to put her children back in the car before leading her into the woods and shooting her 13 times in the back. Her traumatized children were later found wandering in the woods, telling rescuers a "man in black" had killed their mother.

Ryan then drove to a petrol station in Froxfield. After filling his car and a petrol canister, he attempted to shoot the cashier but his gun jammed. He returned to his Hungerford home, which he shared with his mother, and shot the family dog. He then set fire to his living room, before leaving the house armed and equipped with ammunition, survival gear, and a flak jacket.

His rampage continued through the streets of Hungerford. He shot and killed two neighbors, Roland and Sheila Mason. A 14-year-old girl who witnessed the scene was shot four times in the leg but survived. Ryan then shot and wounded Marjorie Jackson, a neighbor who had seen him return home earlier.

Walking towards the town common, he killed Kenneth Clements, who was walking his dog with his family. Clements’ family escaped unharmed. As police began to arrive, Ryan shot and killed PC Roger Berriton, who was in his patrol car. He then fired at a mother and daughter in a car, injuring them both. He also fired at an ambulance crew responding to the scene, but they escaped injury.

The violence continued as Ryan shot at two officers investigating the scene. He then killed George White, who was returning from a trip to Newbury, and Abda Khan, who was tending his garden. He injured a pedestrian before heading back towards the common.

As his mother, Dorothy, arrived home from shopping, he shot her four times, twice at point-blank range. A resident who witnessed the scene shouted at him to "kindly stop that racket," and he responded by shooting her in the groin. Thankfully, she survived.

Ryan then made his way to the War Memorial Recreation Grounds, where he killed Francis Butler, who was walking his dog. He discarded his carbine and temporarily got rid of his semi-automatic rifle, which may have run out of ammunition or jammed. He recovered it later, and all subsequent killings were carried out with his pistol.

He shot at, but missed, a teenager on a bicycle. He then killed taxi driver Marcus Bernard, who was in his cab. He shot and injured the occupant of a parked van. Among those affected by the road diversions set up by the police were Douglas and Kathleen Wainwright, who were visiting their son. They were only 90 meters from their destination when Ryan killed Douglas and injured Kathleen. Their son, Trevor Wainwright, was the off-duty police officer who had approved Ryan’s firearms license.

Ryan then killed Eric Vardy, who was in a van. He headed towards Orchard Park Close, shooting at houses and a passing car, fatally injuring the driver, Sandra Hill. He then forced his way into a house and killed Jack Gibbs and fatally injured his wife, Myrtle, who died two days later in hospital.

The Hungerford Massacre finally came to an end when Ryan, cornered by police, took his own life. The events of that day left a deep scar on the town, raising questions about gun control, mental health, and the nature of evil. The Hungerford Massacre remains a chilling reminder of the fragility of peace and the devastating impact of violence. It also led to significant changes in UK gun laws, including a ban on semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with a capacity of more than three cartridges.

More on this in Episode 9 of the Wyrd Wessex Podcast here

Or watch us on YouTube here