Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and Mark Clark, a fellow Panther, were shot and killed in their Chicago apartment during a raid conducted by the Chicago Police Department. The raid took place in the early hours, around 4:00 AM, and involved a heavily armed squad of 14 officers from the Chicago police. The operation was executed as part of a broader strategy, known as COINTELPRO, aimed at dismantling the Black Panther Party and other civil rights organizations deemed radical. Police stated that they faced gunfire from the apartment, leading them to return fire. However, many witnesses, including those in the apartment at the time, reported that the officers fired indiscriminately into the residence without provocation.

The aftermath of the raid was significant, leading to considerable public outcry and protests against police brutality and the treatment of the Black Panther Party. Many viewed the event as a targeted attack against civil rights leaders and a violation of citizens' rights. The political and social climate that followed the raid was marked by increased activism among civil rights groups who sought to expose police misconduct and seek justice for those slain. The incident contributed to a growing awareness of the state-sanctioned violence against Black communities in America during this period.

In later investigations, discrepancies were noted in the police's claims of a gunfight, particularly the level of armament found within the apartment. The tragic event highlighted the tensions and conflicts of the era, catalyzing further discussions about race relations, law enforcement practices, and the rights of marginalized communities.