Circus Elephant Goes Berserk, Is Shot After Killing Trainer
- Share via
HONOLULU — A rampaging circus elephant killed a trainer and injured a groom before she was shot down in the street.
The 21-year-old African elephant named Tyke went berserk just before she was to perform with four other elephants in Saturday’s matinee.
Tyke picked up William Beckwith, a groom, and threw him down, then tried to stomp his head. A trainer, identified by a circus official as Allen Campbell, 37, was crushed by the animal as he tried to help Beckwith.
A dozen people were injured as they fled.
The elephant broke through the main exit and led authorities on a chase of several blocks. She was cornered in an industrial area and shot repeatedly until she crumpled to the ground.
Workers from the Honolulu Zoo gave her a lethal injection at the scene.
The carcass was removed with a crane and taken to the state Department of Agriculture for a necropsy. The other elephants were quarantined, said attorney Roy Yempuku, who represents Circus International.
John Cuneo, president of Illinois-based Hawthorne Corp. and owner of the elephants, said Sunday that Beckwith had been working with the elephants for just over a month and likely startled Tyke by walking behind her.
He was in fair condition Sunday at The Queen’s Medical Center.
The circus went ahead with its Saturday evening show.
More to Read
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.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Tom Girardi was a legal legend—until he was found guilty of stealing millions from his own clients. Host Madison McGhee and pop culture commentator Kiki Monique unpack how his downfall became a Real Housewives scandal, and what Erika Jayne may or may not have known. Plus, L.A. Times reporter Harriet Ryan joins to share how she helped bring Girardi’s crimes to light.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
