Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Today Marks 10th Anniversary of Amadou Diallo Shooting
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 4, 2009
Modified Feb 4, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 4, 2009
Modified Feb 4, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Ten years ago, outside a Bronx apartment building, the NYPD Street Crimes Unit fired 41 times at unarmed West African immigrant Amadou Diallo. The 22-year-old street peddler died from the 19 shots that hit him, and the shooting raised questions about race relations in the city, police brutality and then Mayor Giuliani's defense of the NYPD. People took to the streets to protest; the Reverend Al Sharpton told NY1, "For 1,200 people for over 13 days, just come by the hundreds and submit nonviolently to jail hadn't happened anywhere in this country since the '60s....It was unprecedented to see former mayors, members of Congress, Academy Award winners like Susan Sarandon going to jail with housewives and regular people every day." (Bruce Springsteen wrote a song, American Skin [41 Shots]—and he was called a dirtbag by a police union.) Though the Street Crimes Unit was disbanded, the four officers involved were acquitted of charges. You can read about more the incident at Court TV and at the NY Times.
Tagged
amadou diallo
nypd
nypd shooting
police shooting
rudy giuliani
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 11:37 a.m. ET
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .