The Riverhead Sniper: Yusef Abdullah Rahman
Background
Yusef Abdullah Rahman, born in 1968, became infamously known as "The Riverhead Sniper" due to a series of shootings in Suffolk County, New York, during December 1988. Prior to these events, Rahman had a troubled past, including alleged criminal activities in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was known as Joseph Davis. He was wanted for questioning in connection with multiple fatal shootings in that area between July 28 and July 31, 1987.
Shooting Spree in Suffolk County, New York
In December 1988, Rahman embarked on a series of shootings that terrorized the communities of Riverhead and Southampton. Over four consecutive days, he targeted individuals without apparent provocation:
- December 5, 1988: Bernard Timothy Heaney, 30, was fatally shot outside his auto-body shop in Flanders.
- December 6, 1988: Richard Jensen was shot in the head while inside his Riverhead home.
- December 7, 1988: Theodore Squires was shot in the right shoulder after answering a knock on his door in Riverhead.
- December 8, 1988: Donald Crump was shot in the chin as he sat in his living room in Riverhead.
Apprehension and Trial
Rahman was arrested on January 28, 1989, in Wyandanch, New York, after a resident reported finding weapons in his car that matched those used in the shootings. During his trial, the prosecution presented videotaped statements where Rahman described his actions, suggesting he was aware of their wrongfulness. The defense argued that Rahman suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, believing he was on a military mission with imaginary comrades. Despite these claims, Rahman was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison in 1990.
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