"Summer of Sam" refers to the summer of 1977 in New York City, marked by a series of brutal shootings attributed to the serial killer known as David Berkowitz. He terrorized the city, killing six people and wounding several others, which led to widespread fear and panic among residents. The media coverage of the killings was intense, and the phrase "Summer of Sam" became synonymous with the chaos of that time. The investigation culminated in Berkowitz's arrest in August 1977, revealing his motives and the psychological factors behind his crimes, which captivated the public and influenced popular culture.