The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg Bernie Goetz and Bygone New York | Interview: Elliot Williams
21 snips
Jan 21, 2026 Elliot Williams, a journalist and author of *Five Bullets*, returns to delve into the Bernie Goetz case, the 1980s backdrop of New York, and their enduring relevance today. He discusses the shock of the 1984 subway shooting, linking Goetz’s story to contemporary issues of vigilantism and public safety. The conversation also paints a vivid picture of 1980s New York's chaos, shaped by crime and economic decline. Williams shares insights from his interviews with key figures, revealing the complex legal and social implications still resonating in current debates.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Goetz Resonates With Modern Vigilantism
- The Goetz case echoes modern subway vigilante incidents like the Jordan Neely death and raises the same legal questions about vigilante acts.
- Debates about when civilians can lawfully intervene continue to shape city safety politics today.
The Gritty 1980s New York Backdrop
- 1980s New York was financially broke, violent, and culturally depicted as a hellscape in films like Death Wish and Escape From New York.
- Those conditions framed public fear and made acts like Goetz's resonate with many New Yorkers.
What Actually Happened On The Train
- Four black teenagers boarded a Bronx-to-West Village express and one approached Bernard Goetz for money.
- Goetz produced a gun, fired multiple times, and one victim later became paralyzed and brain damaged.
