their son and brother. Furthermore, his mother stated that, although the family had been aware of extreme radical changes in Essex's attitude towards white people following his experiences in the Navy, they had not been aware of his plans, although his actions revealed he had viewed himself as something of a martyr for his cause. According to his younger sister, Penny Fox: "He didn't want to see kids grow up to be oppressed by the white man. He really believed in the Black Power Revolution. He wanted to change it himself now, not wait another five hundred years." Victims In both incidents, Essex shot a total of 21 people, nine of whom died. Two patrolmen were also hospitalized due to smoke inhalation received prior to and during their climbing down an elevator shaft to escape from a smoke-filled elevator stranded close to the 18th floor of the hotel. Seven other officers were slightly injured in crossfire in the final standoff with Essex. In total, ten of those shot in both incidents were policemen, five of whom died. All but one of those shot were Caucasian or Hispanic. Killed December 31, 1972, shootings: Police cadet Alfred Harrell (19). Gunshot wound to chest Officer Edwin Hosli Sr.* (30). Gunshot wound to chest and stomach January 7, 1973, shootings: Dr. Robert Steagall (28). Hotel guest. Gunshot wound to chest Elizabeth Steagall (25). Hotel guest. Gunshot wound to head Frank Schneider (62). Hotel Assistant Manager. Gunshot wound to head Walter Sherwood Collins* (56). Hotel General Manager. Gunshot wounds to back and stomach Officer Phillip Coleman (26). Gunshot wound to head Officer Paul Arlynn Persigo (33). Gunshot wound to face Deputy Superintendent Louis Sirgo (48). Gunshot wound to chest and back Wounded December 31, 1972, shootings: Lieutenant Horace Pérez. Ricochet wound to ankle January 7, 1973, shootings: Joseph Perniciaro (33). Grocer. Gunshot wound to upper right shoulder New Orleans fireman Joseph Anderson. Gunshot wound to arm Patrolman Charles Arnold (27). Gunshot wound to face Officer Lawrence Arthur (31). Gunshot wound to side Robert Beamish (43). Hotel guest. Gunshot wound to abdomen Patrolman Michael Burl (24). Smoke inhalation. Hand and back injuries sustained in fall New Orleans fireman Thomas Calamari (36). Gunshot wound to arm Christopher Caton (20). Ambulance driver. Gunshot wound to back Patrolman Robert Childress (33). Smoke inhalation Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy David Munch (33). Gunshot wounds to leg and neck Sergeant Emanuel