This news footage from KMOL-TV (now WOAI-TV) documents the climax of the mass shooting at the annual Fiesta San Antonio on April 27, 1979. Ira Attebury, known as the Fiesta Sniper, opened fire on the Battle of Flowers Parade. Over the course of 30 minutes, he killed two people, injured 50 others, and then shot himself. A KMOL-TV crew at the scene captured the tense final moments of the attack, as the police close in on Attebury and he fires his last shots. Please note: This video contains sensitive footage documenting the scene of a mass shooting. Viewer discretion is advised.

Fiesta San Antonio is an annual event that celebrates the heroes of the Texas Revolution and San Antonio's local culture. Fiesta began as a one parade event with the first Battle of Flowers Parade in 1891. The Battle of Flowers parade includes elaborate floats and an actual battle of flowers, where blossoms are thrown in lieu of ammunition, in front of the Alamo. The parade is held in honor of the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, held on or during the week of April 21, the day Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836. Fiesta San Antonio grew to include balls, parties, a carnival, and a coronation - crowning a queen, a princess, 24 duchesses, and King Antonio. It eventually evolved into its present day, 10-day celebration that features over 100 events, including three major parades, one of which takes place on the San Antonio River Walk where the floats actually "float." Fiesta San Antonio's festivities have come to celebrate not only the Texas Revolution, but also San Antonio's rich, diverse culture and heritage.

Patti Welder

2024-01-03 15:27:36

my name is Patti Welder. I was out of town Duchess in 1979 the year of the sniper. Our floats were in front of the Lonestar brewery. Carol Devon was queen that year her brother was my escort Franklin Devine. The two motorcycle cops in front of her float both got shot she jumped off the back of her float and was dangling by her train. The princess float was next, and I don’t really know what was going on there because my float was the first Duchess float because I was the first girl to walk out on stage and bow Because my train depicted the trade to the orient. I will never forget it at first I thought it was fireworks and I asked the girl behind me if they had fireworks and she didn’t know. That’s when I looked over toward Broadway Street and saw the sea of color Red, yellow and blue, all these band instruments being thrown up into the air, and these kids running toward the chain-link fence that divided us. I look past them and saw people throwing down their little beach chairs, and getting under them as if that was going to protect them. And then there it was the Winnebago, and there were the muzzle flashes coming out of the window , I was 10 yards maybe 15 away from him, but I could see perfectly clear as to what was going on. I believe the page boy to the king got shot and killed just as they were stepping off the bus. There’s a lot more that I know about this shooting , and the things that happened during and after. It’s quite the story and will be going in the first part of the book I’m writing the trilogy. The true story of a Texas Dynasty, the Patrick Hughes Welder family my family. This story will be at the end of part one of this trilogy . I will be sure to let you know when I’m coming to San Antonio so I can come by and give you an autograph copy. I still live in Victoria I’m 64 years old now the only one left alive in my family! The man was pretty right with his statement a few glitches, but he was OK. He was nervous. Remember the Alamo, the first words I ever said. My youngest son is a avid reenactor at the Alamo, la Bahia, and San Jacinto. He also does come and take it in Gonzalez. Every year we look forward to coming to the Alamo in March. Y’all interviewed my son one year or son channel new station in San Antonio did when he was 10 years old because he knew more than the tour. Gods L O L, he was taken under the wings of all the Authors, historians and archaeologist, and they taught him everything . He loves Texas history 23 years old and wants to be a history teacher of Texas history. How proud am I. Sincerely Patti Welder.

In partnership with: