WQLN PBS NPR
8425 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509

Phone
(814) 864-3001

© 2026 PUBLIC BROADCASTING OF NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

“Subway Vigilante” or “Bigot?” Revisiting the 1984 Bernhard Goetz Shooting

Season 2026 Episode 8090 | 17m 49s

In 1984, in a New York subway car, Bernie Goetz opened fire on four black teenagers who he claimed were trying to rob him. At a time when fears of rising crime were rife, some saw Goetz as a hometown hero while others condemned him for what they saw as an act of racial violence. Former federal prosecutor Elliot Williams re-examines this case in his new book "Five Bullets."

Latest Episodes
Jon Finer; Ellie Geranmayeh; Col. Cedric Leighton; Stephen Fowler
Jay Inslee; Werner Herzog; Steve Boyes; David Brooks
Nate Soares; Morgan Neville; Dr. Jean Tang; Michael Hund
Gregg Nunziata, Susan Glasser, David Miliband, Bill McKibben
Nataliya Gumenyuk; Michael Kofman; Craig Renaud; Juan Arradondo; Maya Shankar
Viri Rios; Max Foster; Natasha Sarin; Vali Nasr; Wynton Marsalis
Serhii Plokhy; Billy Crudup; Denise Gough; Emily Galvin Almanza
Emily Maitlis; Rafael Grossi; Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin; A'Lelia Bundles
Barham Salih; Joachim Trier; Dr. Sanjay Gupta; Jon Meacham
Wendy Sherman; Keir Starmer; Ursula von der Leyen; David Holland
Extras
Stephen Fowler explains his new report on the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files.
Longtime New York Times Opinion columnist David Brooks discusses his departure from the paper.
Dr. Jean Tang and Michael Hund discuss the rare disease Epidermolysis Bullosa.
Environmentalist Bill McKibben reacts to Trump's repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding.
Maya Shankar discusses her book "The Other Side of Change."
Legendary jazz musician Wynton Marsalis discusses his tenure leading Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Emily Galvin Almanza discusses her book “The Price of Mercy.”
A'lelia Bundles on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Jon Meacham discusses his book "American Struggle."
David Holland warns about the impacts of climate change, fresh from an expedition to Antarctica.
WQLN PBS Passport is a member benefit that provides you with extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming!