Brenda Spencer—The 16-Year-Old School Shooter Who Coldly Declared “I Don’t Like Mondays” After Killing Two People—Denied Parole for the Seventh Time at 62 Years Old!

🔴 Who Is Brenda Spencer?

Brenda Ann Spencer’s name is etched in infamy due to her chilling actions on January 29, 1979, at Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, California. At just 16 years old, Spencer opened fire from her home’s window, targeting unsuspecting students and faculty. She killed two individuals—principal Burton “Burkie” Wragg, 53, and custodian Michael Suchar, 56—and injured eight children and a police officer, all while offering no remorse.

Spencer’s infamous quote, “I don’t like Mondays,” said during a phone call to a reporter just after the shooting, has since become synonymous with her brutal crime. Her words, initially interpreted as a nonsensical reflection on her lack of empathy, would come to define her as one of the first school shooters in America. But what has happened to Spencer since that day?

🔴 The Shooting That Shocked the Nation

The tragedy at Cleveland Elementary became one of the first school shootings to gain national attention, igniting debates over gun control, mental health, and the safety of children in schools. Brenda Spencer, a troubled teen with a history of behavioral problems, would become the face of a new, horrifying trend in American violence. She used a .22-caliber rifle to carry out her attack from the safety of her bedroom window.

It was a typical Monday morning when the chaos unfolded. As children arrived at school, Spencer’s rifle cracked open the peace of the day. Her spree lasted for approximately 20 minutes before police responded. Despite the fact that Spencer was only 16, the actions she took that day marked the beginning of a dark chapter in U.S. history, where school shootings would become tragically more common.

The victims of Brenda Spencer’s attack, principal Burton Wragg and custodian Michael Suchar, lost their lives in an instant. The eight injured children and a police officer would suffer long-lasting physical and emotional scars from the event.

🔴 Brenda’s Motive: “I Don’t Like Mondays”

When asked why she did it, Brenda Spencer gave the now-infamous response: “I don’t like Mondays.” This chilling remark was made to a reporter after she had been arrested, and it has since become one of the most quoted lines in American crime history. Her lack of a coherent or empathetic answer shocked the public and baffled the authorities.

Was it a reflection of her mental state, or was it just a cold, calculated statement with no real meaning? Some speculated that Spencer’s words were indicative of her apathy and emotional detachment. Others suggested that her mental health struggles, coupled with a troubled upbringing, played a significant role in the development of her violent tendencies.

🔴 The Life Behind the Crime: A Troubled Childhood

Brenda Spencer’s history paints a picture of a young girl who grew up in a volatile environment. Raised by her father, Wallace Spencer, a former police officer who had a reputation for being emotionally and physically abusive, Brenda’s early years were marked by neglect and instability. Her parents’ tumultuous relationship set the stage for a childhood steeped in dysfunction.

Brenda’s relationship with her father was particularly strained. He reportedly had a short temper and was said to be emotionally unavailable, further alienating Brenda. According to various sources, she was also exposed to alcohol and drugs at an early age, contributing to her troubled behavior.

Her academic performance was poor, and she exhibited signs of depression and social isolation. As a teenager, Brenda had few friends and was often viewed as a loner, further exacerbating her emotional isolation. Brenda’s history suggests a deep internal struggle—one that would manifest tragically on that fateful Monday in January 1979.

However, it is important to consider that many individuals who face such hardship do not resort to violence. The complex interplay of her environment, mental health, and personal circumstances created a perfect storm that led to the school shooting.

🔴 The Aftermath: A Nation in Shock

The shooting left a deep scar on the local community and on the nation at large. The Cleveland Elementary shooting became a haunting reminder of the possibility of violence erupting in schools—a vulnerability that had rarely been considered before. At the time, school shootings were a rarity, and this attack would serve as an ominous sign of things to come.

In the wake of the attack, many schools across the country began rethinking their security measures. As the first major school shooting of its kind, the event would set the stage for a series of similar tragedies over the coming decades. Brenda Spencer’s crime would haunt future generations of students, teachers, and parents who lived in fear that their own schools could one day become the site of another shooting.

🔴 Trial and Conviction

After being arrested, Brenda Spencer was charged with two counts of murder, along with multiple counts of attempted murder. Due to her age, she was tried as an adult, and in 1980, she was convicted of two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder. Her defense team argued that she had a troubled childhood and struggled with mental health issues, but the jury was not swayed by these arguments.

She was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, which meant she would be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. This sentence, however, did not come without controversy. Some felt that Spencer’s age at the time of the crime—just 16—should have been a factor in her sentencing, and that her troubled childhood should have been given more weight in her case.

Nevertheless, the parole board determined that she would have to serve a minimum of 25 years before being considered for parole. As she aged, Spencer continued to seek release from prison, hoping that the passage of time would change the board’s perception of her rehabilitation and remorse.

🔴 45 Years in Prison: A Lengthy Sentence and Multiple Denials

Brenda Spencer has now served over 45 years in prison, with no sign of freedom in sight. Over the years, she has attempted to gain parole on seven separate occasions, but each time, the parole board has denied her release. Her most recent attempt at parole came in 2025, when she was again denied after a lengthy hearing.

At each of her parole hearings, Spencer has tried to convince the board that she is a changed person. She has cited her years of incarceration as evidence of her remorse and her desire to make amends for the harm she caused. She has also pointed to her improved behavior in prison, where she has taken part in educational programs and therapy.

Despite her attempts at rehabilitation, the parole board has been unconvinced. They argue that her crime was too severe, and that her lack of empathy and remorse, especially in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, remains a significant factor in their decisions.

🔴 Why Is Brenda Spencer Still In Prison?

So, why hasn’t Brenda Spencer been granted parole? There are a few key factors at play:

1. The Severity of Her Crime: Spencer’s actions were calculated and brutal, resulting in two innocent lives lost and many others affected. The parole board considers the nature of the crime when deciding whether an inmate should be released, and in Spencer’s case, the gravity of the attack weighs heavily against her.
2. Lack of Remorse: Although Spencer has claimed to have changed and expressed regret for her actions, many believe that her true feelings are not fully understood. Her famous “I don’t like Mondays” statement, made shortly after the shooting, is often cited as a sign of her lack of empathy. In the eyes of the parole board, this may be indicative of a personality that is incapable of fully acknowledging the trauma she caused.
3. Mental Health Concerns: Spencer’s history of mental health issues—stemming from her difficult childhood and her subsequent life in prison—has been a significant point of discussion in her parole hearings. While she has participated in therapy and has taken steps to address her issues, questions remain about the extent of her rehabilitation and whether she could pose a threat to society if released.
4. Public and Victim Impact: The parole board also takes into account the wishes of the victims and their families. In this case, the families of the two victims, Burton Wragg and Michael Suchar, have consistently opposed Spencer’s release. The impact of her crime on the victims’ loved ones is another important consideration in the parole process.

🔴 What’s Next for Brenda Spencer?

Brenda Spencer’s next opportunity for parole comes in 2028, but it remains uncertain whether she will ever be granted freedom. The board will continue to weigh her rehabilitation against the horrific nature of her crime, as well as the ongoing concerns of the victims’ families.

As she ages, the question arises: should the passage of time and the possibility of change outweigh the severity of her crime? This dilemma is one that will continue to evolve as Spencer’s parole hearings unfold. However, with each denial, it becomes clearer that the parole board believes her actions on that fateful Monday cannot be forgotten, nor should they be so easily forgiven.

Brenda Spencer may one day be released from prison, but for now, the lasting legacy of her crime remains entrenched in the hearts of those affected by it. And while the world moves on, the families of Burton Wragg, Michael Suchar, and the surviving victims are left to carry the weight of that tragic day forever.