When his friend is paralysed in a gang attack Vietnam veteran John Eastland (Robert Ginty) decides to wreak revenge upon anyone who crosses his path. He becomes a hero to the public with his no-nonsense approach to law enforcement, but the police believe him to be an unstable psychopath, capable of untold murder and mayhem.

Robert Ginty reprises his role as the vigilante known as the Exterminator in this action sequel. This time, a gang vow to rid New York of the Exterminator after its leader X (Mario Van Peebles)'s brother is killed by the vigilante. When their attack on Eastland gets personal, his alter ego picks up his flame thrower to turn up the heat on the city's criminals.