On this day, May 15, in 1972, Arthur Bremer shot and paralyzed Alabama Gov. George Wallace in suburban Maryland while the segregationist was campaigning to be become president.
Bremer’s original target was President Richard Nixon, but when he realized the difficulty of such an attempt, he set his sights on Wallace. His main motive was fame. In the final entry of his diary, Bremer wrote, “My cry upon firing will be ‘A penny for your thoughts’. Copyright 1972. All rights reserved. Arthur H. Bremer.”
Thirty-seven years ago today, at a rally at the Laurel Shopping Center, Bremer pushed forward and stuck his revolver in Wallace’s stomach, shooting the candidate four times. Three others also were shot. Bremer, however, forgot to say his catchphrase.
Bremer was sentenced to 63 years and was released on parole in 2007. He was the inspiration for the Travis Bickle character played by Robert DeNiro in “Taxi Driver.” That film was a motivating factor in John Hinckley Jr.’s shooting of President Ronald Reagan.
Today, Bremer remains in a Maryland halfway house. He is 58.
