Neal Long
Ohio Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Dayton, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
1972-1975
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
Neal Bradley Long, known as "The Shotgun Slayer," was an American serial killer responsible for a series of attacks against African-American men in Dayton, Ohio, from 1972 until his arrest on September 19, 1975. During this period, he committed at least 21 assaults, resulting in the deaths of four to seven individuals and injuries to 14 others, motivated by his anger over desegregation and white supremacy. Following his confession and guilty plea, Long received multiple life sentences for his crimes, including aggravated murder and interference with federally protected activities. He died in federal custody at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, on June 12, 1998. Significant evidence included his own admissions and the pattern of his attacks, which were characterized by the use of a shotgun, leading to his notorious moniker.
Neal Long's attacks were driven by his anger over desegregation and his belief in white supremacy, leading to speculation that his violent behavior was influenced by societal tensions during the civil rights movement. Some theorize that his mental health issues exacerbated his violent tendencies and fueled his hatred toward African-American individuals. Additionally, there is speculation about the possibility of more victims, as the exact number of his attacks remains uncertain.
Neal Long: The Shotgun Slayer
A Trail of Terror in Dayton
In the annals of American true crime, few names provoke as chilling a reaction as Neal Bradley Long, infamously dubbed "The Shotgun Slayer." Born on September 19, 1927, in Campton, Kentucky, Long's life would eventually spiral into a series of violent acts that terrorized Dayton, Ohio, from 1972 to 1975. His reign of terror, driven by a toxic mix of racial hatred and mental instability, resulted in at least 21 attacks on African-American men, leaving four to seven individuals dead and fourteen others wounded.
Early Life and Brewing Hatred
Not much is known about Long's early years, but his eventual move to Dayton in 1944 marked the beginning of a turbulent life. By the late 1940s, Long was married and had seven children. However, by the mid-1960s, signs of mental illness began to surface, accompanied by violent tendencies towards Black people. On Halloween night in 1966, Long walked into a police station, claiming that he had been attacked by two Black men on Washington Street in 1944. In his narrative, he had stabbed one in self-defense. The authorities, unable to find any record of such an event, temporarily detained him but eventually released him.
Long's mental health continued to deteriorate, prompting him to seek psychiatric help in 1968. He voluntarily admitted himself to the Dayton Mental Health Center for a three-month treatment, where he was diagnosed with a psychopathic personality disorder. Despite this diagnosis, Long maintained a fascination with firearms, amassing a collection of pistols and shotguns. By 1975, as he navigated a divorce and worked at a service station in Kettering, his internal turmoil was about to explode onto the public stage.
The Murder of Charles Glatt
On September 19, 1975, Long's growing animosity towards desegregation reached a boiling point. That afternoon, he entered the Federal Office Building in Dayton and fatally shot Dr. Charles A. Glatt, a 46-year-old sociologist who had dedicated his career to desegregation efforts. Glatt, who was instrumental in developing busing programs to end racial segregation in schools across 18 states, was gunned down with four pistol shots to his neck, chest, and abdomen. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries three hours later. Long later confessed that his motive was rooted in his opposition to Glatt's work, fearing it would incite conflict and violence against his own family.
The Shotgun Slayer Revealed
Long's arrest unveiled a sordid history of racial violence. Between 1972 and 1975, he confessed to committing between 25 and 30 attacks on Black individuals in Dayton, often using a double-barrel shotgun from his Ford Fairlane. The city was gripped by fear as the mysterious assailant, known as "The Shotgun Slayer" or "The Midnight Slayer," eluded capture. A $10,000 reward was offered, and residents took to patrolling the streets. Despite the gravity of the situation, requests for FBI assistance were denied. It wasn't until Long's arrest that survivors and witnesses began to identify him as the shooter. A search of his apartment revealed a cache of firearms, confirming his connection to the crimes.
A Justice System Confrontation
In the weeks following his arrest, law enforcement matched Long's confessions with unsolved cases, charging him with several attacks and murders. These included the wounding of Eddie Freson in 1972, the murder of Edward Tillman and wounding of James Watts in 1973, and the 1975 shootings that killed Larry Romine and Robert Hoard. Additionally, Leonard Goff and Glenda Gay narrowly survived his attacks. Long's racial hatred was the undeniable motive behind his actions.
The Trial and Sentencing
By late September, Long was facing the justice system. His defense sought a forensic psychiatric evaluation, which confirmed his sanity. The trial commenced in late 1976, beginning with the murder of Charles Glatt. Long confessed to his crimes, expressing remorse, and in November of that year, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges and first-degree murder, receiving two consecutive life sentences. In 1977, to avoid the death penalty, he pleaded guilty to three state murder charges, resulting in three additional life sentences plus 22 to 85 years. The plea deal was partly influenced by the death of key witness Leonard Goff from a drug overdose.
A Final Curtain
Given the notoriety of his crimes, Long was transferred between various federal institutions under an alias for his protection. In the mid-1990s, he was moved to the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, where he died on June 12, 1998, at the age of 70.
Legacy of Violence
Neal Long's story is a haunting reminder of the destructive power of hatred and mental illness. His actions left an indelible mark on Dayton, fueling racial tensions and leaving a trail of grief and fear. The tale of "The Shotgun Slayer" serves as a grim chapter in the history of American crime.
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First Attack
Neal Long begins a series of attacks against African-American men in Dayton, Ohio.
Murder of Charles Glatt
Neal Long shoots sociologist Dr. Charles A. Glatt, who later dies from injuries.
Arrest of Neal Long
Neal Long is arrested shortly after shooting Dr. Glatt.
Confession of Murders
Long admits to committing 25 to 30 attacks against Black individuals, leading to several deaths.
Charges Filed
Long is charged with multiple murders and attacks against African-American men.
Competency Evaluation
A psychiatric evaluation finds Long sane and liable for his crimes.
Sentencing for Glatt Murder
Long is sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murder of Charles Glatt.
State Court Sentencing
Long pleads guilty to three counts of murder in state court, receiving additional life terms.
Death of Neal Long
Neal Long dies in federal prison in Minnesota.
Neal Bradley Long, known as "The Shotgun Slayer," was an American serial killer responsible for a series of attacks against African-American men in Dayton, Ohio, from 1972 until his arrest on September 19, 1975. During this period, he committed at least 21 assaults, resulting in the deaths of four to seven individuals and injuries to 14 others, motivated by his anger over desegregation and white supremacy. Following his confession and guilty plea, Long received multiple life sentences for his crimes, including aggravated murder and interference with federally protected activities. He died in federal custody at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, on June 12, 1998. Significant evidence included his own admissions and the pattern of his attacks, which were characterized by the use of a shotgun, leading to his notorious moniker.
Neal Long's attacks were driven by his anger over desegregation and his belief in white supremacy, leading to speculation that his violent behavior was influenced by societal tensions during the civil rights movement. Some theorize that his mental health issues exacerbated his violent tendencies and fueled his hatred toward African-American individuals. Additionally, there is speculation about the possibility of more victims, as the exact number of his attacks remains uncertain.
Neal Long: The Shotgun Slayer
A Trail of Terror in Dayton
In the annals of American true crime, few names provoke as chilling a reaction as Neal Bradley Long, infamously dubbed "The Shotgun Slayer." Born on September 19, 1927, in Campton, Kentucky, Long's life would eventually spiral into a series of violent acts that terrorized Dayton, Ohio, from 1972 to 1975. His reign of terror, driven by a toxic mix of racial hatred and mental instability, resulted in at least 21 attacks on African-American men, leaving four to seven individuals dead and fourteen others wounded.
Early Life and Brewing Hatred
Not much is known about Long's early years, but his eventual move to Dayton in 1944 marked the beginning of a turbulent life. By the late 1940s, Long was married and had seven children. However, by the mid-1960s, signs of mental illness began to surface, accompanied by violent tendencies towards Black people. On Halloween night in 1966, Long walked into a police station, claiming that he had been attacked by two Black men on Washington Street in 1944. In his narrative, he had stabbed one in self-defense. The authorities, unable to find any record of such an event, temporarily detained him but eventually released him.
Long's mental health continued to deteriorate, prompting him to seek psychiatric help in 1968. He voluntarily admitted himself to the Dayton Mental Health Center for a three-month treatment, where he was diagnosed with a psychopathic personality disorder. Despite this diagnosis, Long maintained a fascination with firearms, amassing a collection of pistols and shotguns. By 1975, as he navigated a divorce and worked at a service station in Kettering, his internal turmoil was about to explode onto the public stage.
The Murder of Charles Glatt
On September 19, 1975, Long's growing animosity towards desegregation reached a boiling point. That afternoon, he entered the Federal Office Building in Dayton and fatally shot Dr. Charles A. Glatt, a 46-year-old sociologist who had dedicated his career to desegregation efforts. Glatt, who was instrumental in developing busing programs to end racial segregation in schools across 18 states, was gunned down with four pistol shots to his neck, chest, and abdomen. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries three hours later. Long later confessed that his motive was rooted in his opposition to Glatt's work, fearing it would incite conflict and violence against his own family.
The Shotgun Slayer Revealed
Long's arrest unveiled a sordid history of racial violence. Between 1972 and 1975, he confessed to committing between 25 and 30 attacks on Black individuals in Dayton, often using a double-barrel shotgun from his Ford Fairlane. The city was gripped by fear as the mysterious assailant, known as "The Shotgun Slayer" or "The Midnight Slayer," eluded capture. A $10,000 reward was offered, and residents took to patrolling the streets. Despite the gravity of the situation, requests for FBI assistance were denied. It wasn't until Long's arrest that survivors and witnesses began to identify him as the shooter. A search of his apartment revealed a cache of firearms, confirming his connection to the crimes.
A Justice System Confrontation
In the weeks following his arrest, law enforcement matched Long's confessions with unsolved cases, charging him with several attacks and murders. These included the wounding of Eddie Freson in 1972, the murder of Edward Tillman and wounding of James Watts in 1973, and the 1975 shootings that killed Larry Romine and Robert Hoard. Additionally, Leonard Goff and Glenda Gay narrowly survived his attacks. Long's racial hatred was the undeniable motive behind his actions.
The Trial and Sentencing
By late September, Long was facing the justice system. His defense sought a forensic psychiatric evaluation, which confirmed his sanity. The trial commenced in late 1976, beginning with the murder of Charles Glatt. Long confessed to his crimes, expressing remorse, and in November of that year, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges and first-degree murder, receiving two consecutive life sentences. In 1977, to avoid the death penalty, he pleaded guilty to three state murder charges, resulting in three additional life sentences plus 22 to 85 years. The plea deal was partly influenced by the death of key witness Leonard Goff from a drug overdose.
A Final Curtain
Given the notoriety of his crimes, Long was transferred between various federal institutions under an alias for his protection. In the mid-1990s, he was moved to the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, where he died on June 12, 1998, at the age of 70.
Legacy of Violence
Neal Long's story is a haunting reminder of the destructive power of hatred and mental illness. His actions left an indelible mark on Dayton, fueling racial tensions and leaving a trail of grief and fear. The tale of "The Shotgun Slayer" serves as a grim chapter in the history of American crime.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Attack
Neal Long begins a series of attacks against African-American men in Dayton, Ohio.
Murder of Charles Glatt
Neal Long shoots sociologist Dr. Charles A. Glatt, who later dies from injuries.
Arrest of Neal Long
Neal Long is arrested shortly after shooting Dr. Glatt.
Confession of Murders
Long admits to committing 25 to 30 attacks against Black individuals, leading to several deaths.
Charges Filed
Long is charged with multiple murders and attacks against African-American men.
Competency Evaluation
A psychiatric evaluation finds Long sane and liable for his crimes.
Sentencing for Glatt Murder
Long is sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murder of Charles Glatt.
State Court Sentencing
Long pleads guilty to three counts of murder in state court, receiving additional life terms.
Death of Neal Long
Neal Long dies in federal prison in Minnesota.