Son of Sam Killer David Berkowitz Arrested 48 Years Ago, Ending Deadly Shooting Spree

David Berkowitz, also known as the "Son of Sam," was arrested on August 10, 1977, ending a series of shootings that terrorized New York City. Berkowitz was convicted of eight shootings and sentenced to six consecutive life terms. He has been incarcerated at Shawangunk Correctional Facility since the age of 24. Berkowitz has been denied parole 12 times, with his most recent denial in May 2024. He claims to have embraced Christianity and now serves as a "father figure" to inmates.

David Berkowitz, the notorious serial killer known as the "Son of Sam," was arrested on August 10, 1977, ending a 13-month terror campaign that claimed six lives and left seven wounded in New York City. Berkowitz, a postal employee and former US Army soldier, was found guilty of eight shootings in June 1978 and sentenced to six consecutive life terms [1].

Berkowitz, who was born in Brooklyn, terrorized the city, particularly targeting young women and couples, armed with a .44-caliber Bulldog revolver. He often left notes at the scenes of his crimes, earning his nickname from a letter referencing his neighbor's dog, Sam. The NYPD formed a 200-person task force to apprehend the killer, who was eventually caught by linking traffic tickets to his car [1].

Now 72, Berkowitz has been incarcerated at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility since the age of 24. He has been denied parole 12 times, most recently in May 2024. Despite his crimes, Berkowitz claims to have found redemption through Christianity. He sees himself as a "father figure" to his fellow inmates and has likened his ability to change lives through his writing to that of Anne Frank [1].

The case of the Son of Sam continues to captivate audiences, with a Netflix docuseries titled "Conversations With a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes" exploring the killer's crimes and interviews with victims' families. The series includes newly unearthed recordings of a 1980 jailhouse interview with former Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reporter Jack Jones [1].

References:
[1] https://nypost.com/2025/08/10/us-news/son-of-sam-serial-killer-david-berkowitz-who-terrorized-nyc-arrested-48-years-ago/