On the evening of Dec. 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot four times in the back outside his New York City apartment building. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, with the rest of the world learning about the tragedy later that night or early in the morning.

Mark David Chapman, who had asked Lennon for an autograph before gunning him down on the sidewalk, was arrested and charged with his murder. On Dec. 9, CBC's As It Happens with Barbara Frum went live with a report from the scene in New York, including reactions from emotional fans taking vigil outside Lennon's apartment.

"He was killed in jealousy because he was the most influential person of his time, he changed the '60s," says one man. "We'll never forget John."

The segment also includes an interview with a New York-based reporter at the court house, who describes Chapman as "pudgy" with a "vapid look on his face," as well as one of Chapman's childhood friends. "I saw signs of extreme behaviour," he tells Frum.

Listen to the full report below.

​