10 Years After the Amado Diallo Shooting

Racial profiling had been a hot button topic in most cities. Throughout the United States
however, a tragic incident exactly 10 years to the day (Feb 4, 1999), made it a national debate.

Early in the morning of February 4, 1999, Amado Diallo, an immigrant from Guinea, stood outside the building in which he lived in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Four plain clothes officers who were members of the Street Crimes unit drove up in a Ford Taurus, thought Diallo matched the description of a later caught serial rapist.

The way the story was reported by the officers, they say they had identified themselves, upon which Diallo fled up the stairs to the building, while reaching into his pocket. The officers thought he was going to draw a gun and began to shoot. Forty-one rounds were fired, in total, with 19 bullets hitting Diallo. No weapons were found on Diallo's person, the item he had reached for was his wallet.

Following the tragic shooting a storm of criticism, protesting and serious discussion of race relations, immigration and the treatment of immigrants along with racial profiling occurred throughout the country.

On March 25, a Bronx Grand Jury found the 4 officers guilty of second degree murder and reckless endangerment. Following the ruling, on Dec. 16, an appellate court ordered a change of venue and retrial in which the officers were cleared of all charges.

As a result of the verdict mass protesting occurred for days outside Police Plaza. The incident highlighted the fundamental troubles with race relations.

The incident has been referenced in music from punk band Leftover Crack to Jay-Z as well as countless other performers many of whom are not known for being politically or socially aware.

In 2002, following an internal investigation the NYPD disbanded the Street Crimes unit. Ten years later race relations seem to have come a long way but there is still much which needs to be done, particularly when it comes to immigrants.

-TJ Olsen