On this day, Sept. 13, 1971, a four-day riot at Attica Prison in upstate New York came to a violent end as law enforcement officials opened fire, killing 29 inmates and 10 hostages and injuring many more. The prison insurrection was the bloodiest in U.S. history.After a Black Panther died at the hands of prison guards in California, more than 1,000 inmates seized control of the New York facility, taking 33 corrections officers hostage.
Four days of negotiations failed. State police dropped tear gas into the yard and began shooting, killing hostages and inmates.
Most of the inmates were black or Hispanic. All of the 383 correctional officers were white.
Sixty-two inmates were charged with 1,289 separate counts. One state trooper was indicted for reckless endangerment.
– Scott McCabe
-Scott McCabe
