Samuel Byck

Name: Samuel Joseph Byck
Played by: Patrick Brownson
Lived: January 30, 1930 – February 22, 1974
Known for: Attempted assassination of President Richard Nixon on February 22, 1974

What Happened: Sam Byck believed that the government was conspiring to oppress the poor. This influenced his decision to attempt to assassinate President Richard Nixon. On February 22, 1974, Byck forced his way onto a DC-9 Delta Airlines Flight at Washington International Airport, shooting and killing a Maryland Aviation Police Officer in the process. His plan was to hijack the plane and crash it into the White House. Byck shot both pilots and tried to force a passenger to fly the plane. After a standoff with the Anne Arundel County Police, four shots were fired through the door of the plane at Byck, wounding him in the process. Before the police could enter the plane, Byck shot himself in the head.

Also: Byck was known to the secret service. In 1972, he had threatened Nixon due to being turned down for a loan from the Small Business Administration. Byck sent bizarre tape recordings to many public figures including; Jonas Salk and Leonard Bernstein. Byck had also been arrested twice for protesting in front of the White House without a permit, and he also was known for protesting while dressed in a Santa suit.