Joseph Christopher American serial killer Country: USA

1. Biography of Joseph Christopher
2. Early Crimes and Tactics
3. Arrest and Investigation
4. Conviction and Death

Biography of Joseph Christopher

Joseph Christopher, an American serial killer, may never have stopped killing and gotten caught if it wasn't for his uncontrollable rage towards African Americans. In a fit of hatred, he attacked his own comrade at the main station in Fort Benning, leading to his arrest. Christopher committed his crimes from September 22, 1980, until his arrest on May 10, 1981. He was known by nicknames such as the ".22-Caliber Killer" and the "Midtown Slasher." It is believed that he killed 12 people and injured many others. Almost all of his victims were African Americans, with one of them being a Latino man. His attacks were primarily motivated by his deep pathological racism.

Early Crimes and Tactics

Christopher began his killing spree on September 22, 1980, at the age of 25, by shooting an African American man. This escalated into almost a daily "duty" for him, as he went hunting for people in broad daylight. On one evening, he eliminated five victims. Over time, Christopher changed his tactics, opting for a quieter approach and using a knife instead of firearms. He would stab his victims to death, and in two cases, he brutally mutilated their hearts with his knife.

Arrest and Investigation

Christopher's reign of terror may have continued indefinitely if it wasn't for his out-of-control anger towards African Americans. In a fit of hatred, he attacked a fellow comrade at Fort Benning's main station, leading to his arrest. Afterward, the police searched his apartment in hopes of uncovering evidence linking him to the serial killings. They discovered enough evidence to connect Christopher to three murders in a single series.

Conviction and Death

After multiple attempts to feign insanity, Christopher was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. He passed away at the age of 37 within the prison walls from a rare form of male breast cancer. Dr. Frank Dobson Jr.'s book about the ".22-Caliber Killer" was released in 2010. Dobson is well-known for his research on murders and their impact on society.