On the night of December 8, 1980, the world is shattered as John Lennon is fatally shot in the entrance of The Dakota, his New York City residence. Lennon, a former Beatle, has just returned from a recording session with his wife, Yoko Ono, when Mark David Chapman, a former fan, fires five bullets at him. Chapman remains at the scene, calmly reading “The Catcher in the Rye” until police arrive.
In the aftermath, Lennon is rushed to Roosevelt Hospital but is pronounced dead on arrival. Chapman, who had planned the attack for months, is arrested without resistance. His motive stems from a mix of personal disillusionment with Lennon and inspiration from J.D. Salinger’s novel, which he feels justifies his actions against what he perceives as hypocrisy.
The murder sends shockwaves across the globe, leading to widespread mourning and tributes. Chapman pleads guilty to the murder and is sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment. Despite becoming eligible for parole in 2000, he remains incarcerated, denied release multiple times.
