If you've spent more than five minutes in the indie horror rabbit hole lately, you've probably seen that creepy pixelated clown mask staring back at you. It's unsettling. The Happyhills Homicide isn't your typical "run away from the monster" simulator. In fact, it flips the script entirely by putting you in the shoes of the killer.
But as the story spirals out of control across the original game and its sequel, Out for Blood, players kept hitting the same wall: Who is the man with the gun?
It’s a valid question. The game throws a lot of bodies and masks at you. Honestly, depending on which part of the franchise you’re playing, that "man with a gun" could be one of two very different people.
The Mystery of the Gunman in Happyhills Homicide
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Most people asking about the man with the gun are referring to William Carpenter, specifically in the sequel.
William isn't just some random vigilante. He’s a man fueled by pure, unadulterated grief. He is the father of Madison Carpenter—the girl the protagonist, John Wade, stalked and eventually killed in the first game. In The Happyhills Homicide 2, William shows up as a playable character, and unlike the stealthy, puzzle-based kills of the clown, William’s sections are loud.
He carries a sawn-off shotgun.
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It’s a brutal shift in gameplay. While you're used to sneaking around and setting up traps as the "Pale Grin," playing as William feels like a desperate, violent warpath. He’s not a "hero" in the traditional sense; he’s a broken man who has nothing left to lose.
Why William Carpenter is Different
- The Weaponry: He uses a shotgun to breach doors and clear rooms.
- The Choice: Unlike John, who must kill to progress, William often has the choice to spare or execute certain NPCs.
- The Motivation: It’s personal. He’s not doing this for "justice" or "cleansing"—he’s doing it because his daughter is dead.
But here is where it gets kinda complicated.
Is the Man with the Gun Detective Bryan Pawalski?
If you aren’t talking about the guy with the shotgun, you’re probably talking about the guy with the pistol. That would be Detective Bryan Pawalski.
Pawalski is the "heroic" antagonist of the first game and the primary protagonist of the second. He’s the one who has been chasing the Happyhills killer for years. If you’ve seen the ending of the first game, you know Pawalski is the one who finally corners John Wade in the mall and opens fire.
He’s a tragic figure. Honestly, he’s probably the most depressing character in the whole series. By the time the sequel rolls around, he’s a shell of a man living on a diet of beer and regret.
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The Confusion Around the Ending
The "man with the gun" debate usually peaks during the final confrontation of the second game.
It’s a mess. A beautiful, gory mess. You have John Wade (the killer), Bryan Pawalski (the detective), and William Carpenter (the grieving father) all colliding. In a heart-wrenching twist, Pawalski ends up shooting William, thinking he’s aiming at John.
Wait. Let that sink in.
The two "good guys" end up destroying each other while the killer watches. John Wade actually tells Pawalski that he doesn't even need to kill him because "alcohol and depression" will finish the job. It’s one of the darkest endings in recent indie horror history.
What the Community Gets Wrong
A lot of people think the man with the gun is a secret third party or a "copycat" killer.
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While there is a copycat mentioned in the lore, the primary "men with guns" are strictly Pawalski and Carpenter. The game is really a study on how violence creates more violence. You start as a janitor who was wronged, you become a killer, and then you create "men with guns" out of the people whose lives you ruined.
Quick Facts on the Happyhills Lore:
- John Wade’s Real Name: He was born William Carpenter Jr. (Yes, he’s William’s biological son, which makes the hunt even darker).
- The Fire: Everything started because of a prank at Westpine High that went horribly wrong.
- The Dog: In the ending of the second game, Pawalski is seen with a dog named Madison—named after the girl he couldn't save.
If you are looking for the "man with the gun" to find a hero, you’re playing the wrong game. Happyhills doesn't have heroes. It just has survivors and victims, and by the time the credits roll, even those lines are blurred.
If you’re stuck on a specific level involving the gunman, your best bet is to focus on the environmental puzzles. When playing as William, use the shotgun sparingly; the noise attracts attention you might not be ready for. For those following the Pawalski storyline, keep an eye on the dialogue—it reveals more about the "man with the gun" than any cutscene ever could.
Check your corners. Happyhills isn't a friendly place.
To fully grasp the narrative weight of these characters, you should replay the "Tape 20" sequence in the first game to see the exact moment Pawalski's obsession begins. Then, compare it to the "Circus" finale in the sequel. Understanding the familial connection between the killer and the man with the shotgun is the only way to truly "solve" the mystery of the Happyhills Homicide.