Vincent Wollin, aged 69, was tragically killed on January 28, 1974, in San Francisco, California. His death was part of a series of racially motivated attacks known as the Zebra murders. These murders were carried out by a group of four men who referred to themselves as the Death Angels. The Zebra murders spanned from October 1973 to April 1974 and targeted white individuals in San Francisco.
The name "Zebra" was derived from the special police radio band assigned to the investigation.
On the day of his death, Vincent Wollin was shot twice in the back while he was rummaging through trash cans for items to repair and sell to supplement his Social Security income. His murder was one of five shootings that occurred on January 28, 1974, four of which were fatal. The other victims included Tana Smith, John Bambic, and Jane Holly. These attacks were part of a broader pattern of violence that left at least 15 people dead and several others wounded.
The investigation into the Zebra murders led to the arrest of four men: Manuel Moore, Larry Green, Jessie Lee Cooks, and J.C.X. Simon. These individuals were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The convictions were based on the testimony of an informant who worked at the warehouse where the Death Angels were based. This informant provided crucial details about the murders in exchange for immunity from prosecution and was placed in a witness protection program along with his family.
The Zebra murders were characterized by their randomness and brutality, instilling fear throughout the San Francisco community. The perpetrators were motivated by an extremist interpretation of Nation of Islam teachings, which labeled white people as "devils" deserving of violence. The case remains one of the most notorious in San Francisco's history, highlighting the devastating impact of racially motivated violence.
