1970s, serial killer David Berkowitz created terror in the hearts of the residents of New York City. He targeted single women and couples, taking the lives of six people and leaving several others injured. Neighbors and co-workers thought of him as a quiet loner, but they had no idea how lethal he was.

Born Richard David Falco, he was adopted by Pearl and Nathan Berkowitz when he was only a few days old. Berkowitz was said to be an intelligent but troubled child growing up. He was close to his mother and was affected by her death when he was a teenager. At the age of 18, Berkowitz joined the U.S. Army. He gave in to the "demons" who spoke to him in the summer of 1976 shooting two teenage girls, killing one and wounding the other.

Berkowitz was a visionary killer, he was motivated by the "voices in his head that told him to kill." These demons, he said let him know when he saw the right people. He was said to be "adopted by Satan." While in custody Berkowitz said that Sam Carr was the most powerful demon and talked to him through the howling of his dog, Harvey whom he shot. After his first murder he killed 5 other people and was finally caught after matching a ticket. He was sentenced 25 years to life for each murder.

Safety tips

• When out late at night make sure you have protection.
• If you believe you are being followed go into a building such as a mall, store, or anything to get you with other people.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/berkowitz/22.html

http://www.biography.com/people/david-berkowitz-9209372#arrest-and-imprisonment&awesm=~oDHbHesRBmEwVg