A Brief History
On December 22, 1984, the tables got turned on criminals when their victim shot them!
Digging Deeper
Bernhard Goetz, a 37-year-old white man, riding a New York subway believed himself threatened when approached by four African-American men ages 18 and 19. In an instant after initial contact, five shots rang out in rapid succession and all four young men were shot.
Although the four young men were apparently carrying screwdrivers for their intended breaking into of vending machines, none of them actually threatened Goetz with a screwdriver when they either asked or demanded $5 from Goetz.
Being surrounded by 4 rough looking characters, Goetz apparently felt threatened, drew a revolver and quickly shot all 4 would be muggers. Of course, the wounded teens claimed they were only “panhandling” and merely asked for money while Goetz said they had demanded it.
Each teen was shot one time, with a fifth bullet that was fired having missed. It was widely reported then and for years to come that Goetz had cold bloodedly approached a wounded teen, said something to the effect that “you don’t look so bad, here’s another” and shot him again. Of course, with only one gunshot wound per thug that could not have happened that way, and even the prosecutor dismissed the story. Witnesses said the 5 shots happened in rapid succession with no opportunity for the above scenario to play out. Unfortunately for Goetz, he is actually the source of the claim, perhaps a bit of braggadocio or perhaps he really thought it happened that way.
The controversy began immediately with vehement arguments for and against the vigilante actions of Goetz. Many believed Goetz was a victim and rightfully protected himself, while others believed he was an attempted murderer racist just looking for an excuse to shoot black people. Either way, the fact is that he was acquitted of the most serious charges and convicted only of carrying an unlicensed gun illegally, getting a year in jail (of which he served only 8 months).
Goetz was later sued by one of the teens who had become a paraplegic from his wound and was found liable for a $43 million decision. This incident remains a hotly debated case of self-defense and the rights of citizens to use guns to protect themselves versus proponents of gun bans and claims of racism. Apparently not much has been resolved from that debate, as every similar incident starts the same debate anew!
Question for students (and subscribers): Do you think Goetz was in the right, i.e. that his actions were justified? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
In addition to being referenced in a certain popular song, Goetz’s case has been the subject of multiple books:
Fletcher, George P. A Crime of Self-Defense: Bernhard Goetz and the Law on Trial. University of Chicago Press, 1990.
Lesly, Mark and Charles Shuttleworth. Subway Gunman: A Juror’s Account of the Bernard Goetz Trial. British Amer Pub Ltd, 1988.
Rubin, Lillian B. Quiet Rage: Bernie Goetz in a Time of Madness. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1986.
