News stories from Monday May 29, 1972
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- In the parking lot of a Raleigh, North Carolina shopping mall, a man opened fire with a newly-bought rifle, killing three people before taking his own life. The gunman, 23-year-old Harvey McLeod, shot 11 people then turned the .22 caliber rifle on himself and committed suicide. No motive has yet been found. U.S. Senator Everett Jordan was making a campaign appearance in the mall. Raleigh police chief R. E.. Goodwin said he doesn't think that Jordan was the intended target, as his schedule had not even been announced. Jordan's press secretary was shot in the back and is in critical condition. The gunman has an arrest record dating back to 1964. [CBS]
- Alabama Governor George Wallace, who was shot two weeks ago, received a distinguished visitor today. Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife entered and left Holy Cross Hospital by a rear door. Kennedy is impressed by Wallace's spirit and his determination to overcome physical hardships. Kennedy recalled his own seven-month stay in a hospital with the chance that he would never walk again, and he hoped that his experience would reassure Wallace.
Wallace has authorized TV and newspaper ads in California. Campaign manager Charles Snider and George Wallace, Jr. have gone to California to work for write-in votes. Snider hopes to show California voters that a write-in campaign is possible. Wallace hopes to attend the Democratic national convention in Miami Beach. Senator and Mrs. Henry Jackson also visited Wallace today.
[CBS] - President Nixon and Soviet party chief Leonid Brezhnev signed a document of principles regarding relations between the U.S. and USSR, basically a non-aggression treaty but not requiring Senate approval. The document states that in a nuclear age there is no alternative to peaceful co-existence. It promises restraint in mutual relations and the utmost efforts to avoid military confrontations and nuclear war. Improved relations will also be sought in trade, science, culture and technology. [CBS]
- President Nixon's plane was delayed in departing for Kiev. President Podgorny and Premier Kosygin bade Nixon farewell at the Moscow airport, but engine trouble caused a delay and a transfer to another plane. The President's party eventually arrived in Kiev, where U.S. Air Force 1 was waiting for them. During the delay in Moscow, Kosygin introduced the Soviet Air Minister and jokingly asked what should be done with him. President Nixon said he should be promoted; it's better that his organization find trouble on the ground than in the air. Nixon invited Brezhnev, Podgorny and Kosygin to visit America; all three accepted. [CBS]
- President Nixon gave a porcelain chess set to the people of the Soviet Union. He gave Leonid Brezhnev, a car fancier, a 1972 Cadillac El Dorado. Brezhnev recently acquired a Citroen Maserati and a Renault from French President Pompidou. [CBS]
- The South Vietnamese relief force trying to reach An Loc on Highway 13 was attacked three miles from the besieged city. In the Central Highlands, the battle for Kontum is in its fifth day. American planes hit enemy concentrations outside the city. The only way in or out of Kontum is by helicopter. Shops are closed and more than half of population has fled. Regional forces are fighting enemy infiltrators in hand-to-hand combat. Supplies must be dropped from planes because they can't land. Helicopters are bringing in more troops; refugees try to board the copters but are currently being refused. [CBS]
- For the first time in 16 months a week went by with no reduction of U.S. troops in Vietnam. Land-based forces now number 64,000. [CBS]
- Americans honored their war dead at ceremonies across the country. At Arlington National Cemetery, a wreath was placed at the grave of John F. Kennedy on his birthday. Flowers were also placed at the grave of his brother Robert. Rep. William L. Scott substituted for President Nixon at the traditional ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. [CBS]
- A young man picked up the wrong suitcase at the Cincinnati airport, then arranged to swap with a 17-year-old girl who accidentally picked up his luggage. The police were waiting for him -- his suitcase contained marijuana. [CBS]