Bernie Goetz, the Subway Vigilante - Only in New York - Episode 1

[@nealskelton1425]

Self defense is a human right.

[@anime_cyko]

Yeah this shit shows how stupid and how people want to make trouble. Dude was surrounded by 4 guys with weapons. Fuck their skin color, I’d shoot them in a heart beat too. I value my life

[@RobSoRandom]

@@anime_cyko self defense isn't shooting someone in the back dying already

[@anime_cyko]

@@RobSoRandom good thing none of them were dying. Being shot doesn't mean one is dying, it just means they were shot. All of them survived. What do you want to talk about next? How he fired all shots within seconds with no break? That's pretty significant.

[@dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173]

@@anime_cyko What colour is a tree?

[@1247.cccccc]

@@RobSoRandom Just pretend the second shot was a robbery and you'll feel better.

[@brentgogel726]

If 4 white guys would have tried robbing him he would have done the same thing

[@rickbrenner6079]

Definitely. He was DONE taking crap from criminal thugs having been mugged several times prior to the incident. They could’ve been purple with red polka dots. It wouldn’t have mattered.

[@rickbrenner6079]

Bernie Goetz merchandise became hot after the incident started receiving all the press and media coverage. The Bernie T-shirt, which had a picture of Bernie and underneath it said: “I don’t get mad, I Goetz even”, I was tempted to get one myself but I was only 11 at the time.

[@arthureverett8220]

If the attackers were white, Al Sharpton would have minded his business. Al Sharpton was a troublemaker between whites and blacks and never interfered when it came to blacks committing crimes against black people

[@career5690]

Maybe maybe not !

[@career5690]

@@rickbrenner6079How come you people only call black young men criminal thugs?

[@LamontDaGrizzly]

Bernhard Goetz only crime was possessing and carrying the gun without the proper license...which he DID apply for after being jumped and held up for umpteenth time, this time for his leather jacket which left him with a permanently bad knee...but was denied by the NYPD license division for "insufficient need". A practice the NYPD continues today when it comes to every 9-5er who they feel isn't important enough or doesn't make enough money. The shot men later admitted they wanted to rob Goetz because he looked like an easy target. At least 3 screwdrivers were found by paramedics on the men. One was sharpened. Goetz did not romp around the hood looking for black men to shoot. They came to him on that train with the intention of strong arming him. Kuby needs to rewatch the original death wish, as Paul shot damn near the entire spectrum of the rainbow, not just black men. Al Sharpton...no comment. In the end, Goetz was found not guilty of attempted murder and assault, but convicted of "criminal" possession of a weapon for carrying the gun unlicensed. A license he was denied because he wasn't rich of famous. If you got the bread, or name recognition, you get your carry license in NYC. A corrupt, 108 year practice not even denied by NYPD and city hall, but OPENLY celebrated. Look up sullivan act, and it's author. Then tell me why this law should remain.

[@bryanburke7947]

I luv your incite. It's all about the money. Any man has the right too defend himself.....too hell with what the police or the politics.

[@moonglow1311]

As a lifelong New Yorker, I appreciate you keeping it real ‼️

[@phantominca]

Say your prayers: there's a case the US Supreme Court will hear this next session that may force NYC to issue concealed carry permits. We might finally be getting our RIGHT to Bear Arms!

[@torymason5143]

with no bruises tho??

[@torymason5143]

a glem in his eye really wow

[@peterandreyev]

They demanded 5 dollars, he gave them 5 bullets.

[@jonathanlund6708]

I got your 5 dollars

[@akbarlebowitz8151]

And they kept the change.

[@hectornagano1819]

You want 5 dollars? Get a job.

[@billthecat666]

If your business is robbing people on the subway, you take the risk of someone fighting back and perhaps kill you in the process. DON'T ROB PEOPLE.

[@davechristian7543]

In america Yes but only in America bc its not normal in any other country in the west n doesn't that say something lol

[@TingTingalingy]

@@davechristian7543 you saying Americans should just allow themselves to be robbed?

[@marcusaurelius5149]

Leftists only protect the working class when the workers are career criminals.

[@bystanderbutch3509]

Amen!

[@jeremyheintz1479]

@@davechristian7543 you don't have the population of violent blacks that we do.

[@celticlofts]

I would much rather defend myself in court than to have a loved one put flowers on my grave. Piss on laws that give the criminal more rights than the victim.

[@GunManGunHand]

It is better to be judged by 12, then to be carried by 6.

[@anime_cyko]

Ok and that relates to this how?

[@crownviclx2000]

The laws fuel a black market

[@TingTingalingy]

@@anime_cyko Bernie was imprisoned for defending himself against a gang of animals.

[@ryanjustice2670]

@@anime_cyko Who are you responding to?

[@Chinchilla_in_the_Villa]

This is the Bernie America needs!

[@kevinfidler8074]

Lol, definitely!

[@1247.cccccc]

No refunds!

[@adityasrivastava4123]

Hell yeah

[@bryanburke7947]

You have the right to defend yourself......PERIOD.

[@alexcentury2166]

And if I walked up to you and said “Gimme five dollars” you wouldn’t shoot me because I’m white. Hence why Goetz and his supporters were racists.

[@derp8575]

@@alexcentury2166 If you had a weapon pulled and tried to rob me, I'd shoot without thinking. You inserted a racial narrative; not the OP. It is your side who is racist.

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

​@@alexcentury2166would you make a demand - "Gimme five dollars!" in an intimidating and persistent fashion though?? It wouldn't _need_ to matter what colour your skin was. There are white people out there who can be extremely frightening (one in particular I once had the misfortune of encountering, who I am very suspicious may have committed a murder some time ago). Are you _quite_ sure it's not (really) *you* who has an issue with race? (No, that's not a question designed to deflect - it's a question based on life experience)

[@Brotherken1234]

Period

[@frankielazardo5748]

It wasn’t about race until the media and Al Sharpton got involved.

[@FischerFan]

Sharpton and then-Mayor Ed Koch were the biggest asses. I wouldn't be surprised if Sharpton is a supporter of Kamau Kambon, too!

[@juno6602]

How someone can spend every day of his life grifting and sleep soundly at night is beyond me. If the man really were a reverend, as he claims, then he'd know that this sort of behavior always catches up with you. If not in this life, then certainly in the next.

[@jayholley3252]

​@@juno6602❤

[@clipsofmma]

You risk violence towards yourself when you attack someone

[@nyyfan1846]

This was AWESOME !! And being a native New Yorker that grew up in Brooklyn during the 1960's and 1970's, I remember this case all too well from 1984. Bernie Goetz had every right to DEFEND himself !! NOT GUILTY, vigilante HERO !!

[@jayyjayy6703]

we need more Bernard Geotz type of persons today.. he was ahead of his time.. God Bless Him

[@craigsmith157]

I grew up in Brooklyn. I remember this case, too. I was 14.

[@1247.cccccc]

The liberals should have recognized that Bernie just robbed the four men of their ability to victimize him.

[@soaxiii6214]

"And he shoots them over 5 bucks?" If Bernie hadn't shot them but simply denied the request, what would they have done Al?

[@phyllisdevries5734]

I live in Alaska, and I remember this day. I am still on his side, over 30 years later.

[@morrisseymarr4018]

Al sharpton was against bernie which means Bernie was in the right

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@mountebank5034]

What a joke he even got jail time. Don't mug people if you don't want to end up looking like red swiss cheese.

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

Surely he went to *_prison,_* not *_gaol!_* I wouldn't personally have blamed him for carrying such a weapon either... I don't believe he carried it with the intent of attacking just _anybody_ for completely nefarious purposes, and may have been carrying it for a very very long time - out of routine of precaution, rather than any other reason. Were I able to communicate with him before it was "too late" to speak discreetly with him, I might've advised that he only answer to common law charges, or better still, await moral justification for having to answer based on whatever his (private) belief system comprises of - after having conveyed questions to *_him_* about how he could out-reason what my beliefs might be... A lot of this could've been cleared up that way, and the outcome may have been a lot nearer to a fair outcome. That's my estimation anyway.

[@izzyiz810]

The should make Bernhard Goetz day a STATE HOLIDAY!

[@Del-Canada]

He took one criminal off the streets. Sadly he didn't succeed with the other because they went on to commit more heinous crimes. Rapes, assault, robberies. No petty crimes.

[@clintonkinsey482]

Goetz is a hero! I would've done the same thing.

[@carlitosbu1628]

the guy looks like Jeffrey Dahmer.

[@GOTTshua]

"only police officers or mafia can shoot like that" NEGATIVE A lot of gun owners in the United States of America can shoot like that. God bless the shooting ranges and responsible citizenry. Crime does not pay. It could cost a criminal their life.

[@borgue]

19:42 To someone with a liberal mindset, the idea that a black man acting in self-defense would have been found innocent is "unfathomable". The brazen projection and condescension of these people leaves me in awe. My favorite exchange in the tape is Assistant District Attorney of Manhattan, Susan Braver's, contribution to stupid questions in history: "Why these four? Why these four?" "Oh isn't it beautiful? You ask the question in such an intellectual way." "Why these four?" "I never picked out these four. I never met those guys." "But why these four?" It's all about race to the cancerous scum of society like Braver and Sharpton.

[@cinnamongirl5410]

maybe those 4 cause those were the ones robbing him.

[@jayholley3252]

​@cinna❤mongirl5410

[@celticlofts]

When you have people approach you on a subway, or anywhere else, brandishing knives, they're not asking you for anything, they're not panhandling, they're trying to rob you. Al Sharpton needs to learn the difference. I would have done exactly the same thing if I was armed and put in that position.

[@NickyD]

al is a trouble maker and aig mouth

[@trynamakegainz]

It’s self defense. He was mugged 3 times before this and one of them was on a subway from 3 guys before this so of course he was on guard.

[@ingurlund9657]

They asked him for 5 dollars and he shoots them. The guy at the start saying that sounded pissed. What they did was they demanded money while outnumbering him and armed. How the hell does he know that they're not going to start stabbing him after he hands it over? Does he know them? Is he a mind reader? All he knows is he's being threatened with sharpened screwdrivers by multiple guys and this guy's whining because they only asked for 5 dollars! Unbelievable.

[@dakruise1]

This is why there should be open carry

[@cinnamongirl5410]

they weren't just sitting ducks on the subway.. they were trying to rob the guy and used to getting away with it apparently.

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

I think the muggers' BIGGEST complaint, was that the shooting happened in PUBLIC, so they may have felt compelled to save face. If it happened behind closed doors, this story would never have seen the light of day, and we could all just get on with our lives in peace.

[@johnnyrocker2400]

Al Sharpton, go away!

[@FCV0511]

It doesn't get much better than having all of the classic archival footage paired with interviews and testimonies from one of the most fascinating eras in NYC's history (and it's always good to see Mary Murphy and Arnold Diaz). The team that put this series together deserves praise. I only wish that each episode were longer as I'd love to see the events covered in a bit more of an in-depth look, and I also thought the racial criticisms were represented in somewhat of a one-sided manner in this episode (maybe the racial breakdown of the perpetrators of subway muggings, along with one of the individuals' admission that the intent was to rob Goetz as stated in an '85 interview with Jimmy Breslin) could have been presented in order to put specific viewpoints into perspective as compared to what was presented in the production). All in all, not a bad watch at all. I'd love to see more things like this from PIX11 in the future.

[@sc666666]

FCV0511 “Sort of one-sided“?? Horrible reporting and racist comments against Bernie.

[@markwhitman1507]

Lol. Of course they were trying to get away. The thugs just brought a screwdriver to a GUN FIGHT.

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@lghnnny9957]

Where is the story from the 80’s where men where speaking In Spanish late at night on the train. Everyone left the train except the 2 women that didn’t know the language... they where both gang raped. This is what went on back then

[@Ron_EZ]

"Them against us..." Me: "He shot four people attempting to steal from him, he didn't pick four random black guys; they picked him, he just pushed back!"

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@Swnsasy]

How the hell is this a crime? He was protecting himself! That's not a vigilante, he was protecting... I'm sorry but to me he didn't do anything wrong! They had sharpened screwdrivers so what did they think they would do to him Ask him to come over for a BBQ?! Maybe not shot so many times then.

[@robotron17]

Yes. Vigilante justice would be pursuing them out into the streets.

[@brianr797]

“You don’t look to bad...here’s another.” Lol😹🤣😂😹😂😅🤣

[@HovaNirvana]

He was actually good until that. With that, he went overboard.

[@nesano4735]

It's fucking scary that people aren't unanimously supporting this guy for defending himself, and this happened almost 40 years ago.

[@mrcruz9682]

The people in this segment are race baiting. They ignore all the facts of the case on focus on these so called victims race. Why? For headlines! Any foo' knows that.

[@bystanderbutch3509]

You got that right!

[@keysersoze5920]

One of the greatest Americans ever!

[@beavercleaver7848]

@@Proud-Ally Irony is hard. I had to read the definition around three times when I searched for it years ago. Even What's Her Name got it wrong in her song Ironic. Is that ironic? Morrisette.

[@craigsmith157]

I was 14 when this happened in 1984. I would've done the same thing.

[@TingTingalingy]

This man is a hero and should be absolutely praised.

[@Patriot2499]

Goetz should get a medal

[@MAPMinorAttractedPurge]

Al Sharptongue wants to pretend it ok for 4 people to surround a man displaying deadly weapons in this case screw driver then ask for $5. We all know what was gonna happen after they were done "asking" for $5. They were gonna physically attack him. He defended himself and we need good people like him who are willing to defend themselves.

[@justinwood6407]

If they didn’t commit crimes this would not have happened

[@Pfirtzer]

Those four were going for the jackpot,instead got lead

[@omidfilms]

I wonder if Bernie Goetz saw the film Joker

[@conormartin3476]

Omid Films The subway scene was inspired by Bernie

[@carlitosbu1628]

the guy looks like Jeffrey Dahmer.

[@glamslamcam]

I missed this episode tonight. Thank you for posting this on KZbin. This was so fascinating.

[@terrandroid]

that's great man, this is from 1984

[@janicesanders9981]

I definitely would have acquitted him! Look at the problems we have today- 20x's worse....

[@upwk7]

Death Wish was not a racist movie. And Bernard Goetz not a racist.

[@jonh6503]

Sharpton is crazy

[@akbarlebowitz8151]

Evil actually.

[@sh987]

The production style reminds me so much of Cocaine Cowboys, and I mean that as a compliment.

[@MissAprilCakes]

sh987 Fax

[@peapod8]

Gun control favors the criminal. Goetz showed 'em. God bless 'im.

[@whocares4420]

the Subway's still like that

[@brotherivy7694]

You have no business carrying a gun if you aren't going to do maximum damage when it's time to use it.

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@sweetrelish334]

It’s comical that anybody could spin the would be robbers into victims… their victim turned them into “victims” these are called consequences.. hopefully certain communities wake up and teach their children because this country as patriotic as I am is going to hell

[@stevenmartinek4419]

That man had no right to defend himself.Imagine,wanting to stay alive,horrible!

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

It's considered "racist" to simply preserve ones' life these days. Didn't you know??

[@NYCfrankie]

​@@letsdiscussitoversometea8479only if ur white

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@jayholley3252]

​❤@@letsdiscussitoversometea8479

[@rentslave]

Bernie gave a new meaning to the phrase "4 on the floor."

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@ZackEdwards1234]

Al Sharpton would prefer you sit there and just give up the money. The question he doesn't want to talk about is what if he hadn't given up that $5 -- what do you think these 4 young men with sharpened screwdrivers would have done?

[@joedirt6212]

I mean next time don’t rob the guy

[@tomanderson9228]

He should have been given a medal

[@joserivera2045]

Well the subways are still in criminals hands.

[@SittingBearProd]

Guy is a legend end of story

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@Edward-Not-Elric]

1:36 What does this line even mean? Genuinely. If you're defending yourself, you're not going to keep your gun loaded with silly string, prepared to do minimum damage to somebody. What a nonsense statement.

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

He's a blk apologist. Or rather - a whyte antagonizer. Always been that way, unfortunately. The last person who deserves charity from his community.

[@davidellis5141]

A Man's Got To Know His Limitations.

[@jayholley3252]

❤

[@theogmikemorgan]

justified then and today, no matter what color the assailants were / are

[@hugospiegel]

I'm glad this whole story had a happy ending after all. Justice was served to everyone involved.

[@unhappyattendantughh2469]

Police won’t do anything so you have to

[@Scallycowell]

It is the right and responsibility of all citizens to defend and uphold their own liberties and personal safety regardless of what the law and government says on the matter. You’re either a victim or a survivor. There is no in between and waiting on someone else to do it for you is suicide.

[@psychosis1242]

An American Hero!

[@Joshkie2]

9:47 The thugs were going to kill him over $5. Let’s over look that bit of the story to make them the victims.

[@flutebasket4294]

Bernie Goetz? Oh, you mean the greatest American to ever live?

[@Concerned_Robot]

So now its 2022 and we have these same problems once again in NYC! Self defense isn't racial bigotry. It's a natural human right.

[@jonbell921]

My hero 😍

[@rafaelluna8909]

I would like too see bernie goetz and say thank you i would've done the same thing too #BERNIE A AMERICAN HERO

[@jonrock5578]

9:42 Sharpton, the cause for self-defense begins before the dollar mark. The dollar figure in question is immaterial to the principle. Whether five dollars or five cents, every human being has the right to defend himself against those who threaten to injure or forcibly deprive him of any of his rightful possessions.

[@abovetheclout]

04:46 “he gotta be a marksman or something”😂😂

[@JoeBlow-vx5po]

There were only 5 bullets in his gun, one bullet missed. One shot per criminal. He didn't shoot any of them twice.

[@christophert11]

I feel like this was turned into a race issue where there wasn't one. He didn't choose who he was threatened by.

[@unhappyattendantughh2469]

‘Allegedly asked him for $5’ by 4 guys on a locked moving subway car. Sounds like a fair request that’s safe to deny

[@Destined4Greatness.]

It’s crazy to me how one of the “victims” admitted they were going to rob an arcade with those screw drivers and two of the 4 of those “victims” were convicted for robbery and rape not too long after this subway incident. One did 5 years and the other did 25 years and there were still people trying to paint them as victims while Bernard was seen as the bad one. Let’s say Bernard didn’t have a gun and instead was robbed and stabbed by those screw drivers. I bet you there would have been no public outrage, it would’ve just been seen as another regular day in the NYC subway. It’s crazy how when someone finally stands up and fights back they’re automatically seen as the aggressors. This is still happening today in 2023, it’s honestly sad there seems to be no end to this. I’m glad Goetz had his fair share of supporters.

[@josuemax9543]

Oh, I see. Goetz is the real life Joker

[@2020-g8s]

Bernie was outright justified in defending himself against those thugs. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@JFD62780]

From a New York Native living in Tampa, THANK YOU for posting this for those out of your viewing area that grew up on your station. This looks like REQUIRED viewing for true fans.

[@zeroone3804]

2020 we need this now with the bail reform

[@MAPMinorAttractedPurge]

They were upset that he tired of crime and trash in the streets.

[@Ron_EZ]

Did the "vigilante" value $5 over those 4 teens? or Did the 4 teens value $5 over the vigilante?

[@andreas11735]

He's a legend and a hero. He should be mayor for life. This is where NYC is going back to. It's dead. There should be a statue in his honor in Central Park.

[@cinnamongirl5410]

Self defense. Not vigilante whatsoever. The criminals with the sharpened screw drivers approached a young man sitting alone and thought he looked like an easy target for robbery and they were mistaken that day. Such is the risks of criminal career.

[@MAPMinorAttractedPurge]

He is a hero.

[@davidwright873]

"He was prepared to do maximum damage to somebody...."....Yep...that's why theycall it a weapon.....Good for him..I forgot about this guy.....

[@jayyjayy6703]

we need more Bernard Geotz type of person today.. he was ahead of his time.. God Bless Him

[@FoxMintcandyGaming]

NYC history

[@ih8utbe]

Don't like Al Sharpton

[@michaelduggan1890]

" Bernie" still lives in NYC ? Oh man he still is a super hero when he get's a nick name . That is funny but I hate the way that ends.

[@DThang_713]

Al sharpton is a full fledged 🤡

[@ratmonger305]

Oh, how our society desperately needs a million Paul Kerseys/Bernard Goetz across America. Take out the Scumbags. Make America safe, again.

[@LondraCalibro9]

I suggest looking up what became of the 'victims' of the subway vigilante, what they went on to do with their lives.

[@The_whimsickal_artist]

They played a dangerous Game...and paid the price. We have a right to defend ourselves.

[@PODSMPSG1]

Geotz is innocent. He did the right thing, he was defending himself. It had nothing to do with them being black.

[@jayyjayy6703]

we need more Bernard Geotz type of persons today.. he was ahead of his time.. God Bless Him

[@halon7476]

They should put a bronze statue of Goetz in Central park.

[@carlitosbu1628]

the guy looks like Jeffrey Dahmer.

[@FischerFan]

@@carlitosbu1628 That doesn't make him Dahmer.

[@charlesflinnill978]

Clint Eastwood couldn't have done it any better!!

[@diversity7777]

Only if you lived in Manhattan during those years you would know what was going on.

[@missouribob7850]

St. Louis today. Even if you give the thugs your wallet, phone, and car; they still shoot you.

[@LOLSKU115]

Al Sharpton’s solution: “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day “Gimme five dollars and I won’t kill you” *gives $5* Next day

[@shurgars]

Good documentary. I like that there is footage and interviews from back then and that both sides of the issue get portrayed. Although it seems that the public was quite sympathetic for Goetz. But some of the rhetoric from the anti Goetz side is kind of ridiculous.. "he killed them over 5 dollars, cause they're black". It seems from the story, (assuming Goetz didn't make up the whole thing) they where abusing him, had him on the floor, trying to rob the literal clothes of his back. But... he only did it cause they where black? Did he telepathically make them rob him so that he could have his vigilante fantasy? If your job is to rove the subway robbing people, that job SHOULD come with some serious risk to your health.

[@fishzlot]

One weird guy. Not a hero necessarily for shooting them. And he didn't think of himself as one. But he was a hero because that singular act dropped the crime rate to an astonishing degree in New York. Goetz helped make the city much safer. NYC was never the same city after that. Because the thugs were on notice.

[@joelyoung8291]

What are you talking about ? The next year brought the Crack Epidemic ! The City got 10× worse !

[@bystanderbutch3509]

If Goetz was found guilty and O. J. was found innocent, we all would know which people this nation favors.

[@jayholley3252]

❤