Killing of Sean Bell
Memorial to Sean Bell at the place of the shooting | |
| Date | November 25, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Location | Jamaica, Queens, New York City 40°41′54″N 73°48′31″W / 40.6983°N 73.8085°W |
| Deaths | 1 (Sean Bell) |
| Accused | Michael Carey Marc Cooper Gescard Isnora Michael Oliver |
| Charges | Manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment |
| Verdict | All found not guilty |
| Litigation | $3.25 million lawsuit filed by Sean Bell's family |
Sean Bell, an unarmed African American, was shot and killed by undercover New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in the borough of Queens on November 25, 2006. Bell and two of his friends were shot when both plainclothes and undercover NYPD officers fired a total of 50 rounds. Bell's friends, Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman, were severely wounded. The incident sparked fierce criticism of the New York City Police Department from members of the public and drew comparisons to the 1999 killing of Amadou Diallo. Three of the five detectives involved in the shooting went to trial on charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault, and second-degree reckless endangerment; they were found not guilty.