George Lincoln Rockwell was a prominent figure in the American far-right movement and the founder of the American Nazi Party in 1959. He gained notoriety for his outspoken advocacy of white supremacy, anti-Semitism, and his attempts to rehabilitate the image of Nazi ideology within the United States. On August 25, 1967, while preparing to enter a Volkswagen Beetle parked near a shopping center in Arlington, Virginia, Rockwell was shot and killed by John Patler, a former member of his own party. Patler had previously clashed with Rockwell over leadership and philosophical differences within the organization.

The assassination shocked many, highlighting both internal discord among far-right factions and the heightened tensions during the civil rights movement era. Rockwell’s death at the hands of a former ally underscored the volatility within extremist movements, where personal disputes could escalate into violence. Patler was later arrested and subsequently sentenced to serve time in prison for the murder, citing Rockwell's oppressive leadership as a catalyst for his actions.

This event raised questions about the future of extremist groups in America and drew media scrutiny to the far-right, often creating a façade of in-fighting and reducing their legitimacy in the eyes of supporters. Rockwell's assassination illustrated the dangers associated with extremist political ideologies and the potential consequences of their internal conflicts.