John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, outside his apartment building in New York City. Chapman was a Beatles fan who had become obsessed with Lennon and his music. He had traveled to New York City from Hawaii with the intention of killing Lennon.
Chapman waited outside Lennon's apartment building for several hours before shooting him five times in the back at close range. Lennon was rushed to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Chapman was arrested at the scene of the crime and confessed to the murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Who killed John Lennon?
Mark David Chapman was the man who killed John Lennon. Chapman was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 10, 1955. He was a troubled child and had a history of mental illness. Chapman became a Beatles fan in his early teens and developed an unhealthy obsession with Lennon.
Chapman dropped out of high school and moved to Hawaii, where he worked as a security guard. He continued to obsess over Lennon and even wrote a letter to him expressing his admiration. In December 1980, Chapman traveled to New York City with the intention of killing Lennon.
Chapman waited outside Lennon's apartment building for several hours before shooting him five times in the back at close range. Lennon was rushed to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Chapman was arrested at the scene of the crime and confessed to the murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Motive for the murder
Chapman's motive for killing Lennon is not entirely clear. He has said that he was angry with Lennon for abandoning the Beatles and for promoting a message of peace and love. Chapman also believed that Lennon was a hypocrite because he lived a lavish lifestyle while preaching about peace and equality.
Whatever the reasons, Chapman's murder of Lennon was a senseless act of violence that cut short the life of a talented musician and activist.