Bernhard Goetz Shooting Shaped Modern America

New books examine the 1984 subway shooting and its lasting impact

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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On December 22, 1984, a loner named Bernhard Goetz shot four Black teenagers on a New York City subway, saying they were trying to mug him. The incident sparked an international debate about crime, fear, race and justice that persists to this day. Two new books, "Fear and Fury" by Heather Ann Thompson and "Five Bullets" by Elliot Williams, explore the historical context, legal implications, and broader societal effects of the Goetz shootings.

Why it matters

The Bernhard Goetz shooting case was a pivotal moment that highlighted growing racial tensions, fears about crime, and debates over self-defense laws in the Reagan-era United States. The case's legacy continues to shape modern discussions around policing, racial bias, and the limits of justified use of force.

The details

In 1984, Bernhard Goetz, a white man, shot four Black teenagers on a New York City subway, claiming they were trying to mug him. The shooting sparked a major national debate about crime, race, and self-defense laws. Two new books, "Fear and Fury" by Heather Ann Thompson and "Five Bullets" by Elliot Williams, examine the historical context, legal analysis, and broader societal impact of the Goetz case.

  • The shooting occurred on December 22, 1984.
  • The two new books about the Goetz case were published in 2026.

The players

Bernhard Goetz

A white loner who shot four Black teenagers on a New York City subway in 1984, claiming they were trying to mug him.

Heather Ann Thompson

Author of the book "Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Getz Shootings, and The Rebirth of White Rage", which examines the historical context of the Goetz case.

Elliot Williams

Author of the book "Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive Eighties, and The Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation", which provides a legal analysis of the Goetz case.

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What they’re saying

“The Bernhard Goetz shooting case was a pivotal moment that highlighted growing racial tensions, fears about crime, and debates over self-defense laws in the Reagan-era United States.”

— Heather Ann Thompson, Author

“The case's legacy continues to shape modern discussions around policing, racial bias, and the limits of justified use of force.”

— Elliot Williams, Author

The takeaway

The Bernhard Goetz shooting case was a pivotal moment that highlighted the complex and divisive issues of crime, race, and self-defense in the United States. Its lasting impact continues to shape modern debates around policing, racial bias, and the appropriate use of force.