Senseless Evil - The Happy Land Nightclub Arson (New York 1990)

The utter disregard for human life in this shocking event almost defies belief. On the night of 25th March 1990 36 year old Julio Gonzalez became America's worst mass killer, seemingly on a spur of the moment, drunken impulse....
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Although focused primarily on disasters, this channel is all about the interesting, the strange, the unsolved, the tragic. Our world has a varied history full of terrible tragedies, bizarre tales, unexplained events, and extravagant people. I hope you enjoy some of the fascinating stories we have here.
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[@alexanderlugo6318]

My father Bronx Homicide Detective Andy Lugo apprehended Gonzalez. He's in your video here a couple of times. The lead detective getting into the back seat of the car with Julio. Shoutout to my father, my hero and best friend. He passed away in 2017. Shoutout to my son Nolan for asking me about the Happyland Mass Murder. Your video was dope. Thank you.

[@joeypinterrockandroll3961]

honers to your old man.

[@Comm0ut]

Respect to the dedicated detectives cracking tough cases past and present.

[@jayskicksnfits9372]

​@@joeypinterrockandroll3961*Honors*

[@honeybie170]

When a fire is a tragic accident from neglect for fire codes and fire safety, it's already horrible enough. When someone purposely sets fire to a place, trapping people inside with the intent to kill them, it's all the more horrifying. It takes a certain kind of evil, twisted mind to not only want to kill but kill with fire. Thank you for covering this tragic story. May the victims and their loved ones find peace 💜

[@deezelfairy]

There's an element of cowardice to it as well, you don't have to look your victims in the eyes like you do if you use a gun/knife. You just have to slosh some liquid about, drop a match and walk away.

[@AEMoreira81]

And then the suspect went to sleep afterwards. Cops had to wake him up to arrest him.

[@Lexcoaster]

Senseless evil indeed. And strange that this horrific incident is consistently overlooked. This is the first time I've ever heard about it.

[@ladytron1724]

Same here.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

That's because GUNS kill EVERYBODY... Didn't they get to you yet??? ;o)

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

he didn't use a gun so the government doesn't have a reason to push propaganda surrounding the event, it doesn't benefit their pursuit of a total monopoly on violence.

[@pptemplar5840]

I feel like Ive heard this one before, but nothing about Julio was mentioned, I could be mistaking it for another nightclub fire. Really horrible story, I couldn't imagine being in the ex Girlfriend's position after the incident.

[@dx1450]

I hadn't heard about this before either, but at the time I was a young airman in tech school so didn't follow the news much back then.

[@missm10]

Never heard of this horrific crime before. Thank you for continuing to highlight historical atrocities.

[@GiordanDiodato]

may have been the March Madness going on also an art museum had been robbed a week before.

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

if he used a gun you'd still be hearing about it.

[@tomservo56954]

@@GiordanDiodato I remember hearing about it...

[@michaelrandle8316]

Duran Duran chronicled this event in one of their songs, "Sins of the City," which appears on the Wedding Album. Check it out.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Really? Perhaps you are young or not American then. This story was HUGE at the time.

[@cade83642]

I think your conclusion of the "not using a gun" is most likely spot on as to why so few have heard of it. Another one that goes under the radar is the deadliest school attack in history was the Bath school house bombing. It was in the 1920's but few have heard of it either.

[@gbonkers666]

time to ban matches and lighters.

[@thelogicaldanger]

Plus, it was at a time when only computer nerds had any on-line access, and even the majority of people didn't have cable TV with its 24hr news coverage yet. With internet and 24hr cable news coverage, today most people hear of a disaster very quickly, and they hear about every single facet of the disaster.

[@danw2112]

I remember this tragedy on the news when it first happened. I think you are one of the first KZbinrs to cover this disaster.

[@DemnRaig80]

Nah... It's been covered at least a dozen times. Evil Intentions channel just recently.

[@danw2112]

@@DemnRaig80 I was mainly talking about the disaster related channels like Raven's channel, Fascinating Horror, Disasterthon, Dark Records/Dark History, Plainly Difficult.

[@terencehill2320]

​@@danw2112don't mind him he's spouting channels that take content from Raven. Like Plainly Difficult hell take this topic and say his patreons asked him to do it after taking their money. It has happened numerous times already, just look at the content

[@mimib8032]

​@@DemnRaig80 I love Evil Intentions. He speaks of the victims with such respect. Great Channel.

[@pikus7450]

Call me crazy, but I’m convinced no one talks about this because there wasn’t a gun involved.

[@cynthiafuentes5351]

I remember my sister was working there and she didn't go that night because my niece was sick ..thank God for that .. but I'm so sorry for those who lost a loved one on that night may they R.I.P.

[@peternesbitt]

Duran Duran wrote a tribute song to the victims. The song is called Sin of the City.

[@alisonlee3314]

Wow! Never knew that.

[@chrisorsten]

Joe Jackson wrote one as well called "Happyland" as a fictionalized version of one of the survivors. I remember him saying as a New Yorker at that time it was sad that no one else outside of the city knew about it.

[@FinnishLapphund]

It's terrible beyond words that so many others died, but I'm glad his ex GF was among the few survivors, feels good that he didn't get the satisfaction of knowing he succeeded in killing her.

[@fahrenheit2530]

When I was a Boy Scout I earned a merit badge on fire prevention. The class was taught by a firefighter from rural western Maryland, who had us watch a home video of the 2003 Station Nightclub fire. This fire was started by a firework that was set off improperly and made contact with soundproofing foam. The video showed the fire's progression from a small spark to engulfing the entire club in a matter of seconds, with throngs of people still trapped inside. Only a handful of people made it out of the building, and these were the people who were either close to the poorly marked exits or recognized immediately that there was a major problem. The rest were incinerated near the doorways. It seems as though these unlicensed, unprofessional nightclub fires were a major scourge from the 1970's well into the 21st century. Almost all of them share the common factors of poor floor planning, hard to find exits, and overcrowding. My heart goes out to the people who were involved in this fire, I'm sure there's no worse feeling than being trapped in a burning building with no hope of escape or rescue.

[@orangehoof]

Another common denominator was owners locking the exits to keep freeloaders out.

[@HerrAirburst]

Over here in Ireland, there was another very similar one in a club called Stardust in 1981. If you haven't heard of it, you can look it up. Very similar circumstances that you described, and the fire exits were even locked with a padlock to prevent people sneaking in. It's important to remember the victims of all of these tragedies and learn from our mistakes so we never allow them to repeat.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Worth observation... and due note... Every single time there's some new safety code enshrined in the law, there's a FLOOD AND FLURRY of efforts for standing businesses to get "grandfathered past it". In certain decades, some of this grandfathering can make a bit of sense for some places, like the Great Depression on cities, when they first started requiring fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in schools. There were just so many schools already built, that finances wouldn't let them all get so equipped in any reasonable amount of time. Many got grandfathered past, hoping the gamble wouldn't be terrible... In some cases, it just comes down to greed and recklessness. By the 70's, at the very least, it was relatively proven that sprinkler systems WERE reliable, and consistently salvaged more of the buildings than would've been salvaged on fire fighters services alone... Yet, every new code legislated involves a litany of businesses just SURE they should get some privilege past protecting themselves, their personnel, and/or the general public... AND they still get renovations... addon's... redecorated... Even like this club, when they're repeatedly "ordered" to shut down, they don't... There's a fine... cost of doing business... ;o)

[@scarymsmary]

That video is HORRIFIC. I've seen it once and that was enough for sure.

[@michaelgallagher3640]

I worked around the corner from The Station at that time and came sooo close to going to that show. If I didn't have to work early the next day I would've been there.

[@barryallenflash1]

Such a sad story and yes, for what? The fact that HE got to live, when 87 people did not is heinous enough in itself. This is one story I've NEVER heard of until now and will forever be indented in my brain as one of the worst crimes ever committed!

[@danielabackstrom]

I heard about it in a true crime podcast a while back and my blood was boiling 😤

[@dezznutz3743]

Crimes like this deserve the Death Penalty.

[@dantheman5745]

Another perfectly-toned presentation. So sad for all of those innocent people, not to mention their poor families.

[@dantheman5745]

BTW, small point: 0:38 "between them" would be for 2 people; "among them" would be for 3 or more, IIRC.

[@XXSkunkWorksXX]

This creator has the perfect voice and intonation for this kind of reportage. I salute his fine work also!

[@BrendenParker]

So much pain for a trifling matter. I had no idea about this until now. 😢😢

[@elliottprice6084]

I've heard of this crime. I read it in the Encyclopedia of Mass Murder. It was shocking enough that the Happyland Social club was allowed to run, being so unsafe, but the most shocking thing is that Julio Gonzalez had no reason to kill 87 innocent people. I'm glad he died in prison, where he belonged

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

What would the death toll be, if there were multiple, lit exits? Zero. He only torched the front. Unenforced code is the reason for the tragedy. Would have just been an "attempted murder" trial that nobody would have heard of.

[@warrenhall7060]

NO NOT HAPPY HE GOT 3 HOTS AND A COT FOR MASS MURDER..IF I WERE THE JUDGE HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HARD LABOR ON A CHAIN GANG IF COULD NO SEE HIM EXECUTED ON THE SPOT ...SO NO HELL NO NO 3 HOTS AND A COT HANG EN HIGH JOE KIDD...THAT WOULD BE JUSTICE NO A EFFING REWARD OF FREE ROOM AND BOARD AND HE DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO COOK HIS OWN MEALS YOUR TAX DOLLARS PAID FOR HIS COOK.. ...IT IS NO WONDER WE HAVE A EPIDEMIC OF MASS MURDERERS NOW DAYS WITH THE REWARDS THEY WILL GET FOR IT . I HATE BEING AN AMERICAN BECAUSE WE STAND FOR NOTHING BUT LIES TO PROTECT THE TRULY EVIL AND HARASS AND KILL OF THE GOOD...

[@darrengorham667]

There's a track on Duran Duran's 'wedding' album of 1993 titled 'sin of the city' which features thisctragic story. The thing they've got wrong is that they say 89 people lost their lives- I had forgotten about that track until I stwatching this video, and suddenly remembered it

[@sntmdsa3628]

“Sin” is everywhere but “typically” more concentrated in cities. (Especially in western societies)

[@tgfabthunderbird1]

Joe Jackson did a song called "Happy Land," as well.

[@amberkat8147]

@@sntmdsa3628 I doubt that very much. How much crime gets committed in small communities and hidden or ignored? How many "devout" religious communities overlook pastors grooming young women and then blame the victims for "tempting" or "seducing" the men? How many homicides are labeled as suicides and forgotten? How many places have that one family, or more, who can get away with almost anything because they're connected to the local law, mayor, etc., or the law is corrupt and doesn't want to do anything? Because I've heard enough stories to know just about every place has such a story, likely more than one. My mother's home town had a "suicide" where everyone knew the poor girl's boyfriend, a local power figure's son, killed her. No one stabs themselves, throws themselves down a flight of stairs, etc. A couple was found cut into pieces and thrown in a pond, the crime was never solved. More recently a member of the town council nearly ran a bus full of kids off a country road just because and got away with it. Small towns can be incredibly corrupt, and I bet this stuff happens everywhere, not just in the western world. Humans are just infuriating sometimes.

[@JGCR59]

It's a miracle anyone got out of that death trap

[@clg1475]

The detail about victims found at tables and some even holding drinks sticks with me, because it truly shows how quickly a night of fun turned to horror. They had no warning before smoke & other gasses took them over. - Of course, the deaths were at the hands of an evil arsonist. However, the fact that the club had been on the radar for almost 2 years on safety violations SCREAMS for more accountability & follow-up on such matters. While those in charge didn't light the matches, their failures and inactions contributed to the horrific event.

[@warrenhall7060]

BET THEY DID NOT DO A DAY IN LAIL FOR IT EITHER...

[@DeborahMoore-rk7op]

I am a New Yorker and I definitely remember this horrific crime! Law and Order chronicled an episode of this case on one of their shows. This was absolutely one of the worst crimes that this city has ever encountered! So many people lost their life attempting to escape the fire. RIP to all of those who lost their life that night. SMH

[@bxchicc7799]

I literally lived 3 blocks away when this happened. At that time me and my mother just recently moved to the Bronx. They still have a memorial across the street till this day 🙏🏽❤️ I was 11 years old then and you could smell the fire. It didn't take 10 minutes for firefighters to come. The firehouse was literally one whole block up E. Tremont Ave. God bless all who was affected by this❤🙏🏽 #175

[@samanthagomez7074]

Wow really

[@tini708]

I am a honduran, and lost a childhood friend ( Pedro) in that horrific event!! RIP my firend !

[@8BitSamurai]

On this platform where most videos are aimed for kids, and the non fiction content available is neutered to be more "palatable", your bluntness is refreshing. I always look forward to your uploads.

[@marvinthemartian9584]

The tv show Law & Order S02E10 "Heaven" is based off this event.

[@ll4680]

One of my favorite channels. Thank you for the great content good sir.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks very much!

[@MiniforceRailfan]

@@theravenseye9443 3:30 3AM before the Disaster

[@widowkeeper4739]

I remember this on the news when it happened. I was a freshman in high school. The initial reporting tried to pin the blame on it being a technically illegal establishment for immigrants in an old building. What did people expect to happen? This story and those people have rarely gotten a fair shake or remembrance in reporting. I just found your channel and this made me instant-subscribe. Great job speaking about what too many ignored.

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

Well, it's true. Nobody would have died if there was even a single, rear exit. Law enforcement knew - but didn't act. Corruption has a price. It's lives.

[@larmondoflairallen4705]

@@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking No one would have died if the man responsible for setting fire to the club hadn't set fire to the club. That is the reason, not "corruption".

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

@@larmondoflairallen4705 False logic. Every fire deathtrap will eventually claim lives. Each day a fire doesn't break out, is one day closer to the day that it will. Spin the barrel long enough, and pull the trigger - one day, it will go bang. The ONLY way to prevent people from dying in a fire deathtrap - is to _shut it down._

[@jacekatalakis8316]

Between this, the 1970s Upstairs Lounge arson/murder in New Orleans, and the Bluebird Cafe arson, I'm never really okay with going somewhere that only has one exit and a set of stairs or narrow corridor to get in or out of a place

[@melasn9836]

Same here. And either of those would also be worthy of coverage, especially Upstairs Lounge. It was treated like a punchline when it happened, and it's largely forgotten now.

[@ClefairyRox]

My goodness. Almost 90 people dead because of one man's ego combined with horrendous fire safety negligence. The way the patrons were overcome so fast that they were still holding their drinks reminds me of the Cocoanut Grove fire. I'm amazed that anyone survived at all. It doesn't sound like anyone was able to escape the building.

[@theravenseye9443]

The DJ and a couple of guys who saw the fire start managed to wrench a locked iron grille from an upstairs window and crawl out. They were the lucky ones

[@AIRMIMIK]

This channel has a great narrator, very good content and good quality videos. This man definitely deserves more subscribers and recognition.

[@elmin82]

Never heard of this tragedy, rest in peace to the victims ..

[@godless266]

I'd rather NOT know these monsters' names. I'm sure that going down in infamy is a secondary motivator for some of them.

[@paustin47able]

Wow... Eerily similar to the Daegu Subway Fire in South Korea 13 years later...

[@hughie522]

First time hearing about this terrible event. Do you plan on doing a video about the Luby's Massacre? It's not one I'd heard of before (the other three, unfortunately, I had).

[@KarenAlexandrite-aka-PinkRose]

I second that!

[@robsmithracing]

Well presented and respectful video. You have a new subscriber.

[@brandonrenwick7940]

Quality content as usual. Thanks for your work on documenting lesser known tragedies

[@stevencooke6451]

This is a case for the death penalty. I also suspect the owners of this illegal death trap were barely punished.

[@sandrasanders706]

Just like The Station disaster and Cotton Club in Chicago.

[@JC-om6vk]

This bears some similarities to a fire which occurred ten years earlier in 1980 close to where I live in London... The Denmark Place fire was started deliberately in much the same way - by a disgruntled customer of a nightclub - and claimed the lives of 37 people. Amazingly, and despite one newspaper claiming it was "The biggest mass murder in UK history", it never received very much media coverage. Indeed, I was only 11 at the time but I know people who were in their 20's in 1980 and none of them had ever heard of the tragic event until I told them. I'm sure there are many Londoners in their 60s today who had never heard of the fire either There's a few videos on KZbin about it and If you also Google "Denmark Place Fire", there are a few articles (including Wiki) where you can read up on it.

[@erinfournumbers]

This reminds me of arson at the Blue Bird Cafe in Montreal. Tragic, senseless.

[@jacekatalakis8316]

Instantly thought of that and I remember reading up on this on the now sadly gon Crime Library site bak in the day. I'm hoping Mr. Raven covers the Seton Hall arson as well, it's got many many similarities to this and yes, there's the excellent documentary on it but it's not that well known I'd argue

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

Considering I lived a mere 90 miles north of NYC, I heard about this (I was also a volunteer firefighter at the time), I was shocked and disgusted with what this guy did. Like you said, totally senseless. I wanted to add that I love your narration! Great to listen to while I'm stuck here at work ;)

[@tigerwoods373]

I've been following for some time now and I'm surprised you haven't blown up yet. I'll admit I don't always catch the weekly uploads but if I don't I'll binge what I missed later. You have a very similar style and quality to fascinating horror and I'm sure you'll reach the success he's had in time. Anyways, I appreciate your hard work and wish you the best.

[@micheleshively8557]

Very sad story. Thank you for your time on this.

[@PumaTomten]

A very similar fire happened in Sweden some decades ago in a night club

[@DavidCurryFilms]

With the teenagers refused entry so they came back to start a fire? Absolutely sickening.

[@PumaTomten]

@@DavidCurryFilms Don't remember, I was quite young. Only recall it happened in Göteborg

[@thejudgmentalcat]

This case does not get any attention on YT 😢 Thanks for bringing it to light ❤

[@josi4251]

When I was 19, I attended a concert in a rickety rat-trap of a concert hall in St. Louis, MO. (Kiel Auditorium) We were up in the rafters, watching people shoot bottle rockets from the balcony onto the people seated on the floor. I was utterly terrified, thinking that place could go up in flames in an instant. After that, no more crowded venues, even outdoors. No regrets there. Packed clubs? No thanks. I'd rather listen to music via earbuds in a cow pasture. No judgment on those who do; it's just not my thing. My students fill me in on their concert/festival adventures.

[@cw4608]

I learned a bit of history and politics about America from a British man. This is what I love about well done YT channels. They can be an opportunity for continued learning and broadening of general knowledge.

[@mauricedavis2160]

Another excellent episode of a very horrific event, thank you Sir for your work!!!🙏😢🔥❣️

[@Nick-Emery]

I like hearing about fire protection such as emergency lights and fire doors, fire exits, fire compartmentation etc… as I work as a fabric engineer (maintenance) and have to check and do remedial works on these systems… sometimes I have to remind myself how important it is that I do a good job. It’s easy to get bogged down at work and cut corners, especially if there are targets to meet, all remedial works must be done within three months and there have been over a hundred failures in a single building at times… it really puts pressure on you to get them done as you have your normal amount of usual work on top of these remedials.

[@char1737]

The tv show Law & Order had a episode loosely based on this it's called Heaven 1991

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

Your videos are some of the best on youtube or anywhere else for that matter.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thank you

[@markmonse5285]

This true story served as the inspiration for an episode of the original Law & Order tv series in the 1990s.

[@DuaneThomas1963]

One of the most bizarre things about this incident, after the headcase set the fire largely because he was pissed at his girlfriend, she was one of the very few people who actually survived.

[@asterlofts1565]

What the hell is going on in America? I mean, there are horrible crimes everywhere, at any time... but in the United States there are too many infamous crimes throughout its history, especially the recent one... Seriously, what the hell is happening in that country?

[@calvinbaII]

Raven, if you're looking for an obscure disaster to cover in a video you should look into doing a video about the 1989 Cormier-Village Hayride Accident in Cormier-Village, New Brunswick. There should be at least a few local news clips from the time uploaded on youtube, articles from google, etc.

[@VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

Whoa... I looked that up; it was a nightmarish accident. There's a Wikipedia article about it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Cormier-Village_hayride_accident

[@elfenmagix8173]

I remmeber this horrible day, it is not just Hondurians but also other Latinos as well though the Hondurians were the main majority. Many relatives of my family friends died that night. And Lydia Feliciano is not as innocent as she claims to be; her job as Coat Checker for the club was on the first floor, in seeing her boyfriend slash the area about with gasoline, she ran out andyet did not call the police or fire department. She just stood there across the street with her friends who were also coat checkers that also has escaped and watched the place burn down. It is said that Gonzalez and Feliciano met outside and argued outside before he walked away. At the time there were many such clubs throughout NYC and because of that fire - the majority of them were closed down with very few reopenning after improvements and fixes were done.. Thank you for posting this one up. Very few know about it, and it should be known by many and all.

[@leeberry689]

This was the MOST SENSELESS event that I remember since moving back to NYC. All those innocent people died because of a couple's nonsense and the unhinged man's jealousy.

[@Norfnorf12]

Not “a couples nonsense”. That implies she has responsibility in this which many accused her of for years and years. It is all 100% the fault of an obsessive and abusive monster.

[@petenztube8592]

Thank you for this doco, I'd never heard of this!

[@PopeSixtusVI]

New York should've never gotten rid of its electric chair.

[@reinaldogarcia70]

These poor people who work so hard went there just to have a good time and have a few drinks and dance

[@otsari1]

I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a devastating fire in the Bronx that took so many innocent lives as a result of that monster. it was horrifying to see the firemen laying on the sidewalk floor each victim covered in a white sheet. There were so many victims. I was so shocked.

[@HersheyBARZ_]

Wow. Never heard of this. Thank you for bringing this to light. I will visit the memorial next time I am there. Can't believe I never heard of this...

[@LadyCatFelineTheSeventh]

And if the place had closed like it was supposed to this wouldn't have had a chance to happen at all. The Fire Marshall should also have been charged with murder.

[@kungfuwitcher7621]

Thank you for posting this vid, I had never heard of this atrocity before now. I don’t think there is an accurate description or word to describe what this monster did. Continued peace to all the victims and I hope they died before being consumed by the fire.

[@lifesahobby]

Your videos are excellent thanks

[@kingclover1395]

I remember this happening from when I was about 15 years old and living in Queens New York. It was a big story at the time because it was so horrifying.

[@sntmdsa3628]

When we are young, we desire to “Be in the way” as you get older, hopefully you become AWARE of the human condition and opt to “STAY OUT OF THE WAY” as often as possible. In 2023, if you don’t have to be outside, stay home.

[@deeayenn]

Top man for bringing this to my attention.

[@richthompson1234]

Having visited the US a couple of times and spoken with Law Enforcement Officers. I was told by many, that they don't use the names of mass killings offenders, lest it make that offender gain even more notoriety than they deserve. Instead they use the victim's names or the location of the offence, as a tribute to those unfortunate souls that their names may be remembered.

[@louisquatorze9280]

I appreciate your work in reporting.

[@duncancurtis5108]

The Mariel Boat rides featured as the opening gambit to Scarface with Al Pacino.

[@alistairmcelwee7467]

I remember this in the news back then. Despicable. But, this is why illegal buildings must not be used as clubs. Sure hope the owners got long sentences also. I just can’t imagine such callous cruelty. What was he hoping for? Did it make him feel better?

[@ReesieandLee]

I was just thinking of the McDonald’s massacre. “77 Minutes” is an excellent documentary on it. Excellent video, I don’t think I had heard of this before. I’m never leaving my house 😉

[@reinaldogarcia70]

1990 i lived in EAST TREMONT BRONX NYC I was only a 20 minute drive 🚗 avway 😒 from where this happened 😭

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

“Just 10 minutes later” LOL. Why do they call them first responders what a joke you would’ve thought it was out in the middle of the country. 10 minutes that’s absurd.

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Thank you.

[@mikesimpson7007]

Another interesting video. I suspect you get loads of suggestions but I'd be interest in your take on the Camelford Incident or the Radium Girls.

[@AldanFerrox]

You should do a video about the Denmark Place Fire in London, or the UpStairs Lounge Fire. Both very horrible arson attacks.

[@jmm2000]

There was a arson fire at a bar/restaurant in Port Chester, New Jersey in 1974 or 1973. A burglar robbed a nearby bowling alley and to cover his tracks, set fire to the building, not realizing that the fire had spread to the bar next door.

[@esteemedmortal5917]

You have to be seriously sick to literally watch people burn to death

[@picklecrash]

Obviously he deserved every bit of his sentence, but had he done this during an era of modern fire regulations and enforcement he wouldn’t have been able to kill anyone. I contend that most of those deaths are on the lax public safety officers and the nightclub owners. Luby’s massacre and VTech are more horrifying because they were individual execution-style murders in cold blood.

[@Dulcimertunes]

These sentences are ridiculous. Capital crime, capital punishment!

[@Comm0ut]

Where guns are outlawed, outlaws will use incendiaries. Kudos to the responders and the investigators for helping protect us all.

[@jeremymiller2124]

He even had a chance at parole? Why was he even in prison. Captial punishment should have been used on this monster.

[@claudiobulnes8977]

One member of my family died that day Israel Antonio Bulnes JR.

[@tonyarichards5430]

I really enjoy your unique voice.

[@ciaobella65]

This was a huge deal in New York City where I lived and grew up. This was a horrible crime in this guy was considered a monster

[@Onora619]

I swear we're addicted to massacres in this country. May we all be protected from one.

[@richardcranium3579]

Ban gas!

[@scottthomas3792]

Gasoline has a lot more energy in it than people realize. No doubt the place was a firetrap to start with. One drunk idiot with his feelings hurt cost so many people their lives.

[@sthenzel]

Why do we not hear of sucht incidents but of others? Crimes with the use of actual weapons can be instrumentalized, the ones with the common household stuff can not.

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

Arson, vehicular manslaughter, and mass-poisoning is what replaces mass shootings in other nations.

[@sheldonwheaton881]

No self control.

[@saxongreen78]

A weak man is a truly dangerous man.

[@joeheid2776]

Never heard of this incident. Wow.

[@grapeshot]

All that mayhem because his girl didn't want to be with him no more🤦🏿‍♂️

[@8bitorgy]

Of course we never heard of it. Its a minority that didnt use a gun. There's nothing to politically amplify.

[@Yosetime]

That really was sickening. We had a similar event in Canada. At The BlueBird Cafe. I don't remember the specific details of why they did it but now my curiosity is sparked so I think I will look it up. As for the low life who killed these 87 people, for nothing, he is the only person of the two who "nobody will have". If you don't count being a prison wife. lol

[@ernestweaver9720]

Your right. I never heard about any of this. May God rest their innocent souls.

[@vinniecasqer840]

I was living in NYC at the time. The "community" in Inwood decided that SHE was to blame. Not only that, but that she knew he was going to do the unthinkable and escaped with this "secret". The insanity displayed by Gonzalez is not far removed from his lot.

[@amberkat8147]

That's horrible. How could they believe that she would know and not tell anyone? She lived because, as the coat-check person, she was posted right near the entrance, so of course if anyone had a chance of making it out the single entrance she would. There's no reason to assume she believed him capable of such a thing or had any way of knowing he was going to randomly find a gas can and use it to set the building on fire, nor would she have remained at her post if she had known. That would have been even more ridiculous than what he did. So why would they assume she knew, stayed put, and didn't tell anyone? I hope she was able to rebuild her life elsewhere after the trial.

[@cosmosadorabilis7677]

She didn't know anything about it, otherwise why would she have showd up for work? The woman had no idea, no culpability but she is still being blamed and vilified for the deaths of her collegues and friends. A woman has to be blamed at some point I guess.

[@jordanscherr6699]

At least his parole was turned down. I.E. While he wasn't executed, he was also never allowed to be free again for what he'd done. I'll consider that good enough all around.

[@reinaldogarcia70]

That man died in prison That is how long he was there

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

The fact he just straight up admits it to his neighbor and the police in the manner which he did, is disconcerting.

[@frankiel.6942]

My people died in there. My friend Vinicio & my Ex-wife's uncle. My Aunt almost went but decided to go elsewhere (Thank God)

[@marknestbox]

This made me weep.

[@Vampirebear13]

And people wonder why I'm a FIRM believer in the death penalty. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬