Patrick Dorismond
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Patrick J. Dorismond (1974-2000) was the father of two children, an off-duty security guard and a Haitian immigrant who was killed by an undercover NYPD officer on the evening of March 15, 2000. The undercover police officer--who approached Dorismond and his friend who were standing outside the Wakamba Cocktail Lounge--asked him where he and his partners could purchase marijuana. One of the officers, Anthony Vasquez, shot Patrick Dorismond in the chest after a scuffle. The scuffle is believed to have begun when Dorismond threw a punch at a second officer and with a friend, began attacking him. Officer Vasquez, coming to his partner's aid heard one of the men yelling "Get his gun!" Vasquez drew his weapon and identified himself as a police officer. Dorismond grabbed the gun causing it to discharge into his chest[1]. He later died from his wounds.
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[edit] Reaction of Mayor Giuliani
Much of the controversy over the Dorismond shooting revolved around then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani who was then in the midst of an aborted Senate campaign. His release of Dorismond's sealed juvenile delinquency record immediately after the shooting raised the ire of the African-American community as well as critics of the Mayor. In addition his comments on a Fox News program were seen as insensitive and overly critical of Dorismond: "People do act in conformity very often with their prior behavior... (the media) would not want a picture presented of an altar boy, when in fact, maybe it isn't an altar boy, it's some other situation that may justify, more closely, what the police officer did." [1] Giuliani's actions became a hot-button issue in his Senate campaign against Hillary Clinton and cost him several points in the polls.[2]
[edit] Funeral
Dorismond's funeral in Brooklyn was a highly emotional affair, marred by clashes between thousands of protestors and the NYPD. Dozens were injured, and scores were arrested as well. [3]
[edit] Grand Jury Investigation
On July 27, 2000 a grand jury declined to indict Officer Vasquez in the death of Dorismond, announcing that they had found the shooting to be accidental.
[edit] Settlement with the City
On March 12, 2003 the City of New York agreed to pay the Dorismond family $2.25 million to settle a suit filed on behalf of the family.
[edit] References
- ^ Lipton, Eric. "Giuliani Cites Criminal Past Of Slain Man" New York Times,20 March 2000, p.B1
