On November 19, 1980, Vernon John Kroening, a 32-year-old man, was killed in a shooting at the Ramrod, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. The attack began earlier that night outside a delicatessen and continued when the assailant entered the Ramrod and opened fire with an Uzi submachine gun; Kroening was struck in the initial volley. Doorman Jorg Wenz was also fatally wounded, and several other patrons were injured as the shooter continued into the surrounding neighborhood before being taken into custody.

Police identified the attacker as Ronald K. Crumpley, a former transit police officer. Investigators attributed his motive to a profound hatred of homosexuals; he expressed delusional beliefs that gay men were demonic and had a history of drug abuse linked to a psychotic condition. Crumpley was charged with murder and attempted murder but was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a secure psychiatric facility.

Does anyone have memories of the Ramrod or knew Vernon Kroening and can share information that might help preserve his memory?