David Berkowitz, also known as the 'Son of Sam,' was apprehended by the police in Yonkers, New York, after a yearlong series of shootings that terrorized the New York City area. The killings began in the summer of 1976 and concluded with his arrest in August 1977. Berkowitz's first victim was 18-year-old Donna Lauria, shot in the Bronx. Over the span of the year, he murdered six people and wounded several others, often targeting young couples parked in cars late at night. His modus operandi and chilling letters sent to the press and police heightened public anxiety, ultimately leading to widespread fear in a city already grappling with rising crime rates.

Berkowitz's infamous moniker, 'Son of Sam,' was derived from a signed letter referencing the name of a neighbor's dog, which he claimed had told him to commit the murders. His case drew intense media scrutiny, with headlines capturing the public's imagination and causing a frenzy of panic among residents. As police worked tirelessly to capture him, Berkowitz evaded arrest for nearly a year, leading to frantic investigations characterized by missteps and numerous false leads.

Ultimately, he was arrested after a parking ticket led police to his vehicle, linking him to the crime scenes. During his confession, Berkowitz claimed he was driven by voices. This bizarre assertion and his seemingly random selection of victims transformed him into a symbol of urban fear during that era. Once he was taken into custody, Berkowitz's name became synonymous with one of the most notorious crime sprees in modern American history.