FORMER BEATLE JOHN LENNON SHOT & KILLED IN NEW YORK
New York City (JFK+50) On December 8, 1980, former "Beatle" John Lennon* was shot and killed outside, The Dakota, his apartment building near Central Park in Manhattan.
Mr. Lennon, 40 years old, "was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital."
The shooter was identified as 'longtime Beatles' fan, Mark David Chapman**, a 25 year old former security guard and YMCA employee from Hawaii.
Five shots were fired from a .38 special revolver with four hitting Lennon in the back.
Chapman later told the parole board...
"I assassinated him because he was very, very, very famous and that's the only reason."
Ironically, earlier in the day John Lennon autographed a copy of his "Double Fantasy" album for Chapman.
*John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) was born in Liverpool, England & was co-founder, co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist & songwriter of the British rock group, The Beatles, 1960-1969.
After The Beatles, JWL started The Plastic Ono Band with his 2nd wife, Yoko Ono. He is credited with 25 #1 singles & the 1981 Grammy Album of the Year, "Double Fantasy."
**Mark David Chapman was born in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1955. He attempted suicide in 1977 & was treated for clinical depression. MDC was waiting outside the archway of 'The Dakota' where he called out JL's name & opened fire.
MDC is currently serving "20 years to life" at Green Haven Correctional Facility in New York. He has been denied parole 13 times.
SOURCES
"How did John Lennon die? This is who killed the famed Beatle musician 43 years ago," by Clare Mulroy, USA Today, www.usatoday.com/
"John Lennon's Death: Inside His 1980 Murder and Where His Killer Is Today," by Nicole Briese, December 6, 2023, People, www.people.com/
