‘City on Fire’ Ending Explained: Who Shot Sam? Who Dies?

Ever since City on Fire premiered on Apple TV+, fans have been left wondering: who shot Samantha Yeung (Chase Sui Wonders)? Was she attacked by the villainous Amory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell)? The erratic Nicky Chaos (Max Milner)? Or did she have a jealous lover in Keith Lamplighter (Ashley Zuckerman)? Today we finally learn who shot Sam in the City on Fire finale and whether or not she and William (Nico Tortorella) survive the season.

City on Fire tells the story of what happens after teenaged Charlie (Wyatt Oleff) discovers his best friend and crush Sam shot in Central Park on July 4, 2003. It seems Sam was connected to a rich family, the Hamilton Sweeneys, an underground rock band, and a series of dangerous arsons across New York City. Or was it that the wealthy family, rebellious bandmates, and arsons were all connected in the first place? City on Fire weaves a tangled web between its ensemble cast of characters that only clicks into focus in the final episode.

Confused by who shot Sam and why? Worried that Chase Sui Wonders and Nico Tortorella’s characters are doomed to die? Still gobsmacked by that final secret baby reveal? Here’s everything you need to know about the end of City on Fire on Apple TV+…

City on Fire Ending Explained: Who Shot Sam?

The City on Fire finale opens with Charlie just barely saving the city from a horrific act of terrorism with the help of Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke). The two teens tell Detective Ali Parsa (Omid Abtahi) just what mayhem Nicky Chaos was planning during the blackout on behalf of Amory Gould.

Sewer Girl, aka Lorraine, then reveals just what happened on the night Sam was shot. Initially, Sam was down with the band’s arsons because she thought it was connected to the music. After a man died, she began to realize they were in the wrong. She was going to tell Keith about the group’s nefarious arrangement. When Charlie asks the band for directions to meet Sam uptown, he inadvertently reveals her location.

SG and Sol (Alexander Pineiro) go uptown to warn Amory that Sam was going to blab. Then they lure Sam away from the well-lit street and into the park to confront her about ratting them out. SG reveals that she is jealous of Nicky and Sam’s relationship. Sol gives his ex-girlfriend Lorraine a gun and suggests she takes care of the “rat” once and for all. Sewer Girl shoots Sam, but the bullet merely grazes her head. SG is horrified and apologies. Sol is the one who takes the gun and shoots Sam point blank.

Sol admits this to Nicky while they fight en route away from the city. Nicky is furious and almost shoots Sol in the head. When he pauses, Sol dashes into the woods. Nicky gives chase and kills Sol.

Do Chase Sui Wonders and Nico Tortorella’s Characters Die at the End of City on Fire?

Since being shot, Sam has been in the hospital on life support. Now, because the city is locked in a blackout, Sam’s life is in more danger than ever before. A stalwart nurse hand pumps oxygen into Sam’s body until her father can arrive to help.

While this is happening, William’s life is also in danger. The two seem to meet in the spiritual in-between plane of the club. William comforts Sam and offers his hand. Are they going to choose to embrace death? Actually no!

Both Sam and William make it through, meaning they both survive. Amory’s crimes are brought to light. The Hamilton Sweeneys reconnect. All is well!

City on Fire‘s Final Scene Explained: Is Charlie…Regan’s Son??

Because everything in Apple TV+’s City on Fire is incestuously interconnected, we learn in the final moments of the series that the baby Regan Hamilton Sweeney (Jemima Kirke) gave up for adoption has been Charlie all along. Yup! Charlie is a Hamilton Sweeney. He is Billy Three-Sticks’s nephew. We learn in City on Fire Episode 8 “Annus Horriblis” that Regan was raped by an Ivy League asshat Amory introduced her to. She pretended to go to Italy, but in fact entered a home for young women with unwanted pregnancies. William discovers that she gave her infant son up for adoption and we later see that Charlie was the baby.