BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)-- A nearly two-hour vigil was held in the Bronx Saturday night to mark the 25th anniversary of Amadou Diallo's death.
The 23-year-old, who was unarmed, was shot and killed by plainclothes NYPD officers on February 4, 1999. The officers fired 41 shots as Diallo reached for his wallet in the vestibule of his apartment building. The officer later said Diallo fit the description of a suspect and they believed he was reaching for a gun.
Diallo's mother, Kadiatou Diallo spoke at the gathering saying "he had dreams, and he was about to achieve his dreams, his dreams was cut short by 41 bullets."
Diallo was joined by the family members of other people who have died during police interactions over the last two decades. Some spoke of the continuing need for more police accountability.
Gwen Carr, whose son Eric Garner died in a police chokehold in 2014 said "that's why we stick together, the families stick together, because we are stronger in numbers, we have fought many battles."
Afterward, the dozens of people who attended the vigil walked down Wheeler Avenue to the vestibule where Diallo died.
A moment of silence was held.
The four officers involved were acquitted of all charges.
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