REVOLUTIONARY LEADER: At 21, Hampton was already a charismatic leader who had united Chicago gangs into a"Rainbow Coalition"with the Young Patriots and Young Lords. His organizing success made him a threat to the establishment.

FBI TARGET: The FBI designated Hampton a"key militant leader"and targeted him under COINTELPRO. FBI documents show explicit intent to"neutralize"him.

INFORMANT INFILTRATION: FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrated the Panthers as head of security. He provided floor plans of Hampton's apartment and drugged Hampton's drink the night before the raid.

THE RAID: At 4:45 AM on December 4, 1969, Chicago Police conducted a raid. Officers fired 90-99 shots; Panthers fired one. Hampton was shot twice in the head at close range while in bed; evidence suggests he was unconscious from the drugging.

MARK CLARK KILLED: Also killed was Mark Clark, a Panther leader. He was the only Panther to fire a shot, apparently reflexively when shot.

COVER-UP ATTEMPTED: State's Attorney Edward Hanrahan initially claimed a"fierce gun battle."Physical evidence proved police lies. A federal grand jury later found the raid was part of a coordinated effort to destroy the Panthers.

CIVIL SUIT: After criminal charges against raiders were dropped, Hampton's family filed civil suit. In 1982, the city, county, and federal government paid $1.85 million to survivors and families.

LEGACY: Hampton's assassination radicalized many and exposed the government's willingness to murder Black leaders. The Rainbow Coalition concept later influenced Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns.