1981: Mark David Chapman Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Killing John Lennon

In December 1980, Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon four times in the back outside the Dakota apartment building in New York City, killing the former Beatle as he returned home. Chapman had waited hours for Lennon, who had earlier autographed a copy of his album ‘Double Fantasy’ for him, and remained at the scene until police arrived.

On 24 August 1981, Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, against the advice of his attorneys. He has been denied parole multiple times and remains incarcerated.

John Lennon Statue in Liverpool. A statue of John Lennon situated opposite the historic Cavern Club in Liverpool. | ID 40019847 © Chris Dorney | Dreamstime.com
ID 40019847 © Chris Dorney | Dreamstime.com

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1985: The Night Stalker’s begins His FInal Strike in Mission Viejo, California

In the late hours of August 24, 1985, Richard Ramirez drove to Mission Viejo in Southern California, intending to break into the Romero family home. Thirteen-year-old James Romero III spotted him and recorded the car details, alerting police. Ramirez moved on to the nearby home of Bill Carns and Inez Erickson, shooting Carns three times in the head before assaulting Erickson. Remarkably, both victims survived.

The car details noted by James Romero III proved critical. Police traced the vehicle, leading directly to the identification and arrest of Ramirez, bringing the reign of one of California’s most feared serial killers to an end.

Hooded hooligan with obscured face walking city streets at night
Hooded hooligan with obscured face walking city streets at night

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1972: The Brooklyn Bank Siege That Inspired Dog Day Afternoon

On August 22, 1972, John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile attempted to rob a branch of Chase Manhattan Bank at 450 Avenue P in Gravesend, Brooklyn. A third accomplice fled before the robbery began after spotting a police car. Rather than escaping with the cash, Wojtowicz and Naturile held seven bank employees hostage for fourteen hours. Wojtowicz, a former bank teller, had working knowledge of bank operations, but the plan unravelled completely.

Naturile was shot and killed by an FBI agent during the final moments of the standoff. Wojtowicz was arrested and sentenced to 20 years at Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, serving five. The story became the basis for the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino.

NEW YORK - Facade of Chase Bank with sunset the rays in New York, USA, business, finance, logo, banking, sign, building, city, financial, exterior, company, money, editorial, architecture, symbol, branch, office, atm, investment, street, morgan, jpmorgan, states, united, cash, deposit, economy, corporation, blue, urban, america, corporate, american, manhattan, nyc, outdoor, commerce, withdrawal, lender, institution, people, brand | ID 164823257 © Photovs | Dreamstime.com
ID 164823257 © Photovs | Dreamstime.com

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1986: Patrick Sherrill Kills 14 at Oklahoma Post Office, Coining a Dark New Phrase

On August 20, 1986, part-time mail carrier Patrick Sherrill walked into the post office in Edmond, Oklahoma, and opened fire on his colleagues, shooting 20 people and killing 14 before turning the gun on himself. It was the first mass shooting by an individual in a US office workplace environment, and it sent shockwaves through American working life.

The massacre gave rise to the phrase ‘going postal’, a term for sudden, explosive workplace rage. Between 1970 and 1997, more than 40 people were killed by current or former postal employees in at least 20 separate incidents, cementing the phrase in the English vocabulary.

Going Postal
Going Postal

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