I don't know, George was in his fortress, and somehow, someone managed to get to him. How would you rather live? You just can't predict these things. Especially at that time. Who had heard of such a thing!?! Anyway, I think it had way more to do with the obsession people have with the Beatles, mental illness, and crap gun control. John was happy in NYC and part of the reason he loved it so much was the fact that he could walk around as a normal human being.