The 1984 Subway Shooting That Still Shapes What We Think episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 20, 2026 · 24 MIN

The 1984 Subway Shooting That Still Shapes What We Think

from All Of It with Alison Stewart · host WNYC

The 1984 shooting of four Black teens by Bernie Goetz was one of New York City's defining moments. Four decades later, we are still grappling with issues it raises about race, gun rights, and vigilantism -- and why we so often resort to violence in order to make ourselves feel safe. CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams, author of the new book Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation, discusses the events and their aftermath. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NOW PLAYING

The 1984 Subway Shooting That Still Shapes What We Think

0:00 24:40

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of All Of It with Alison Stewart?

This episode is 24 minutes long.

When was this All Of It with Alison Stewart episode published?

This episode was published on January 20, 2026.

What is this episode about?

The 1984 shooting of four Black teens by Bernie Goetz was one of New York City's defining moments. Four decades later, we are still grappling with issues it raises about race, gun rights, and vigilantism -- and why we so often resort to violence in...

Can I download this All Of It with Alison Stewart episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!