48 Hours - The Puppet Master

In October 1997, newlyweds Heather and John Grossman were targeted in a drive-by shooting. They both survived but a bullet severed Heather’s spinal cord, paralyzing her from the neck down.  Heather was immediately certain that ex-husband, Ron Samuels, was behind the attack. “48 Hours" Correspondent Troy Roberts reports. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 5/24/2008. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+.

Duration: 41m
Broadcast on: 11 Dec 2025
Audio Format: other

(intense electronic music) - 911, do you have an emergency? - Yes, we do. We have shooting in a car. And that's better than your motto. We have people with injuries. - Oh, my God. See, so. - We have over on the way. - They're on the way. They're on the way. I don't think she's bleeding. - Even though the shooting happened nine years ago, it seems like it happened yesterday. - He said, "Do you want to make some good money?" But around 20,000 make it look like a robbery. I thought we could get away with it. - On that day, the weather was beautiful and warm. - Heather and John Grossman were having a normal day. - We were driving a black Lincoln Continental. My husband, John, was driving. And I was in the passenger front seat. And John and I were on our way to lunch. - Slames driving. - And he's telling Runyon what to do. - I'm in the back seat. - And Runyon's sitting in the back seat with a rifle. - I remember going down federal highway and. - They were about to stop in one place. And then they decided on another place, they made a U-turn. - So John and I turned around. - We followed 'em, come up to a red light. - I remember coming up to a stop light. - They're in one lane, we're in the lane, right next to 'em on the left. - I reached down to get something out of my briefcase. - Roger Runyon took out a long rifle. - Slames like, "Do it, do it, do it, do it." - And I came up and. - I stuck the weapon out the window and. - Okay. - And I shot into the back window and. - I felt the bullet penetrate. - She disappears. - I remember my body shaking. - Then Slim pulled up next to the car. - Fired another shot, Ben winged, John Grossman in the cheek. - Where is she shot?

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