July 18, 1984, remains seared into the memory of San Ysidro, San Diego, as the site of one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. On that afternoon, 41-year-old James Oliver Huberty entered a local McDonald’s and opened fire on employees and patrons over the course of 77 harrowing minutes.
The assault began at approximately 3:56 p.m., when Huberty walked into the restaurant armed with a Browning HP semiautomatic pistol, an Uzi submachine gun, and a Winchester shotgun, along with ample ammunition for each weapon. At the time, roughly 45 people were inside the establishment. Forensic analysis later determined that Huberty discharged some 257 rounds, a count established through the meticulous collection of shell casings and subsequent ballistic investigation.
When the violence subsided, 21 people lay dead and 19 others were wounded, including entire families and restaurant staff. The youngest fatality was an infant only four months old. The rampage concluded when a San Diego Police Department sniper fatally shot Huberty, bringing an abrupt end to the 77-minute ordeal.
In the aftermath, the McDonald’s building was demolished. Today, a memorial stands on the site, serving as a solemn tribute to those who perished.
For survivors and the bereaved, the tragedy has left an indelible mark. As recently as 2024, on the 40th anniversary, several witnesses shared their recollections with NBC7, including a former franchise cook who later became a police officer, forever shaped by what he endured.
Wendy Flanagan, who was 17 at the time and is now 58, described the scene as “horrible to see bodies on the floor in McDonald’s uniforms.”
A Tragedy That Crossed the Border
Among the deceased were Miguel Victoria, 74, and his wife Alicia, 70, a married couple originally from Tijuana, according to a United Press International report published days after the attack. The pair crossed into the U.S. every Wednesday to visit their son’s widow and grandchildren in Chula Vista; on that fateful day, they had stopped at McDonald’s for takeout.
The same UPI dispatch documented the case of Guadalupe del Ríos, a 24-year-old Tijuana resident who sustained minor injuries and witnessed the death of a friend during the shooting.
In a later interview with BorderReport, retired police captain Al Leos, himself a survivor of the attack, recalled that several victims were Tijuana locals who had simply paused for a quick meal on their journey home.
‘77 Minutes’: A Documentary Tribute
The documentary 77 Minutes revisits the events of July 18, 1984, its title a direct reference to the duration of the attack before law enforcement intervened.
Director Charlie Minn deliberately shifts focus away from the perpetrator, instead honoring the victims through their personal stories and the courageous acts of those who attempted to save others. The film features survivor and family member testimonies alongside previously unreleased footage from the scene.
77 Minutes is currently available for streaming on Tubi and for rental on Prime Video in the United States.
