1881 - July 14 – Billy the Kid is shot and killed by Pat Garrett outside Fort Sumner.

In 1881, on July 14th, the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid met his end at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett outside Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Billy, whose real name was Henry McCarty, but who also went by William H. Bonney, was a legendary figure of the American Old West, known for his involvement in numerous crimes, including cattle rustling and murder. His reputation as a gunslinger and his ability to elude capture had made him a folk hero among some, while others viewed him as a dangerous criminal.

Pat Garrett, a former friend of Billy's who had been deputized to capture him, tracked the Kid down to a ranch where he was staying with friends. In a tense confrontation, Garrett shot and killed Billy, ending the life of one of the West's most infamous outlaws.