Amadou Diallo, a 22-year-old immigrant from Guinea, was shot and killed by four plainclothes New York City police officers on the evening of February 4, 1999. The officers were conducting a stake-out related to a different case when they encountered Diallo, who was standing in the vestibule of his apartment building in the South Bronx. As the officers approached him, Diallo reached for his wallet, which they misconstrued for a weapon. In a barrage of gunfire, 41 bullets were discharged, striking Diallo multiple times and resulting in his death. The officers involved were later acquitted of all charges in a trial that drew national attention.

The shooting stirred significant outrage within the community and among civil rights advocates, leading to widespread protests against police violence. Activism surged in the wake of the incident, with calls for reforms in police practices, increased accountability, and better training on race relations and firearm use. This case became a pivotal moment highlighting the ongoing issues of racial profiling and the use of excessive force by law enforcement. The Diallo incident sparked numerous discussions surrounding racial injustice and policing in America, leading to a reevaluation of policies affecting minority communities across the country.

The aftermath of Diallo's shooting spurred advocacy groups to demand systemic changes within law enforcement practices. It generated renewed scrutiny concerning police conduct, particularly towards people of color. The horrors tied to the shooting of an unarmed man became emblematic of broader questions regarding race, justice, and the dynamic between police and communities they serve. Following the incident, several reforms in policing policies were debated and implemented across various jurisdictions, elevating the conversation about police accountability in America.