dec 8, 1980 - Murder of John Lennon

Description:

On 8 December 1980, John Lennon, an English musician, was fatally shot and wounded in New York City's Dakota archway. Mark David Chapman, an American fan of the Beatles, planned the killing over several months and met Lennon at the Dakota. Chapman was inspired by Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, a "phony-killer" who loathes hypocrisy. Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, returned to the Dakota to say goodnight before an impromptu date night. Chapman fired five hollow-point bullets from a.38 special revolver, four of which hit Lennon in the back. Lennon was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at age 40. Chapman remained at the scene reading The Catcher in the Rye until he was arrested. It was later discovered that Chapman had considered targeting several other celebrities, including David Bowie. A worldwide outpouring of grief ensued, with crowds gathered and at least two Beatles fans dying by suicide. Lennon was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York, and Ono requested ten minutes of silence around the world. Chapman pleaded guilty to murdering Lennon and was given a sentence of twenty years to life imprisonment.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: