David Berkowitz

In the mid-1970s, a series of shootings in New York City terrorized residents and captured national attention. Responsible for the murders, a figure became infamously known as the 'Son of Sam'. Arrested in 1977, authorities linked the crimes through ballistics and witness reports. Berkowitz claimed that he was prompted by a dog belonging to a neighbor, which was fueled by mental health struggles. Convicted of six murders and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, the case highlighted issues of law enforcement and public safety during that era. Berkowitz's confessions and subsequent life in prison became a subject of various media representations.