Wal-Mart Gunman Had History of Arrests in Southern California
- Share via
A man who killed two people at an Oklahoma Wal-Mart before killing himself had a history of run-ins with the law in Southern California.
Police said David Mack Flinn, 39, formerly of Claremont, had a record that included a guilty plea to assault with a deadly weapon in San Bernardino and convictions in property crimes in Pomona.
On Friday, Flinn went on a rampage outside a Wal-Mart in Hugo, Okla., killing two people and wounding three others before driving to a nearby dirt road and killing himself.
Before using a newly purchased gun on customers at the Wal-Mart, he reportedly complained that a neighbor had shot his dog.
In September, 1986, Flinn led 20 police cars on a chase through parts of San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties after punching a police officer who tried to arrest him for selling stolen property. Flinn was charged with evading a police officer, said Ontario police Detective Mike Macias.
In 1979, Flinn pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon in San Bernardino.
Flinn’s sister, Jan Wyatt, apologized for his actions in a statement issued through a family friend.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
