Bernhard Goetz – A Famous Real Life Vigilante

Bernhard Goetz became a real life vigilante in 1984 after first being assaulted in 1981. Ya see Goetz was assaulted by three teenagers in a subway in 1981. Goetz came away with a knee injury after the attack and two of the attackers escaped. The one attacker that was caught spent only a few hours in the police station before being released. Due to the lack of urgency on behalf of law enforcement Goetz decided to take his safety in his own hands and applied for a gun permit.

Fast forward a few years to December 22, 1984. Goetz enters a Manhattan train that is practically empty while carrying his 38. Caliber handgun that was not licensed apparently. Also on the train were 4 teenagers named Troy Canty, Barry Allen, James Ramseur and Darrell Cabey. The teenagers asked Goetz for $5.00 just as he sat down. Goetz refused to give them the money and one yelled again,”Give me your money!”

In what you would expect from a movie, Goetz stood up and said, “You all can have it.” He started shooting his gun and wounded all four of the teenagers. When the train stopped Goetz left the city to Concord, New Hampshire. After only 8 days he turned himself into the police.

Goetz wasn’t a bad guy after he returned. In fact he was treated like a hero by the citizens of New York who had enough of the crime that had been taking place in the city. Reports indicated that Joan Rivers sent him a telegram and informed him she would help with his bail money. He was so popular at the time that T-Shirt sellers sprang up selling shirts that applauded his actions.

Image from Hnn.us

Goetz posted his own $50,000 bail and was skeptical of all the attention he was receiving for defending himself.

In 1987 Goetz was acquitted of attempted murder but was found guilty of illegal possession of a fire arm. He served less than a year in prison for his actions. There was much pressure apparently to make Goetz pay for shooting the four teenagers which brought him back to civil court.

Goetz Goes on the Offensive

Goetz started becoming more outspoken with the issues and problems facing the city of New York. He began to embrace the celebrity status he had gained from defending himself. Despite his popularity the 1996 civil jury found in favor of the paralyzed Cabey who became parayled because of the shooting that took place on the subway. Cabey was awarded 43 million dollars in damages and Goetz had no choice but to immediately declare bankruptcy.

After the civil trial Goetz started to spread his vigilante wings. He appeared in a couple of television show and movies which are listed below:

Goetz reemerged later in the news after being arrested for selling $30 of marijuana to an undercover police officer in New York.

Image from Biography.com

One interesting thing to note that wasn’t reported in many places was that James Ramseur who was one of the teens shot in 1984 by Goetz committed suicide 27 years to the day of the original shooting. When informed of the suicide Goetz was quoted as saying” It sounds like he was depressed.” Ramseur was 45 years old when found in the hotel room located in the Bronx. Apparently there were two empty prescription bottles in the room.