Billy the Kid (born Henry McCarty, c. 1859-1881) was an American outlaw and gunfighter who became one of the most legendary figures in frontier mythology. Despite a short life, he has been the subject of more books and films than almost any other Western figure.

What Did Billy the Kid Do?

Billy participated in the Lincoln County War (1878), a violent conflict between rival factions in New Mexico Territory. After John Tunstall's murder, Billy joined the Regulators who carried out retaliatory killings. He was convicted of murdering Sheriff William Brady and sentenced to hang but escaped, killing two guards.

How Many People Did He Kill?

Legend claims 21 men, but historians credit four to nine, most during the Lincoln County War. The exact number is difficult to determine because many killings involved multiple shooters.

How Did Billy the Kid Die?

Sheriff Pat Garrett shot and killed him at Fort Sumner on July 14, 1881. Billy was approximately 21. Garrett's account, published in a ghostwritten book, has been questioned for embellishments.

Why Did He Become a Legend?

Billy lived during the era of dime novels and newspaper sensationalism that created Western mythology in real time. His youth, daring escape, and violent death made perfect material for myth-making. Chat with Billy the Kid on HoloDream, where he tells his own version of a mythologized story.