Fred Hampton: Quick Facts

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American civil rights leader Fred Hampton served as deputy chairman of the Black Panther Party's Illinois chapter. Hampton formed the city of Chicago's first "Rainbow Coalition," an alliance of the Panthers with other groups organized around racial, ethnic, or ideological affiliation. Bringing together groups that otherwise would have had almost no positive contact, the Rainbow Coalition provided aid to low-income citizens by combining the member groups' varied resources. The Panthers and the Chicago Police Department often clashed during Hampton’s brief tenure as deputy chairman, resulting in casualties on both sides, and on December 4, 1969, Hampton was killed during a raid on his residence by Chicago police officers. Later it was revealed that, of the nearly 100 shots fired during the raid, all except perhaps one were fired by the police.

Facts

Also Known As	Frederick Allen Hampton
Born	August 30, 1948 • Chicago • Illinois
Died	December 4, 1969 (aged 21) • Chicago • Illinois
Title/Office	deputy chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party
Notable Family Members	son of Francis Hampton • son of Iberia Hampton • married (by common law) to Deborah Johnson (later called Akua Njeri) • father of Fred Hampton, Jr. • brother of William ("Bill") Hampton • brother of Frances ("Dee Dee") Hampton
Role In	American civil rights movement
Education	Triton College • Proviso East High School (Maywood, Illinois)

Top Questions

When was Fred Hampton killed?

Fred Hampton was killed on December 4, 1969, in Chicago during a raid on his residence by Chicago police officers.

Where did Fred Hampton die?

Fred Hampton was killed in Chicago, Illinois, on December 4, 1969, during a raid on his residence by Chicago police officers.

How old was Fred Hampton when he died?

Fred Hampton was 21 years old when he was killed.

Where was Fred Hampton born?

Fred Hampton was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 30, 1948.

How was Fred Hampton killed?

The Black Panther Party and the Chicago Police Department often clashed during Hampton’s tenure as deputy chairman of the Panthers' Illinois chapter, resulting in casualties on both sides. The violence culminated on December 4, 1969, when a 14-man team of police officers raided Hampton’s apartment in Chicago. The police believed that the apartment—which often served as a de facto headquarters for the Panthers—would reveal a stockpile of weapons, including illegal firearms. When the raid was over, Hampton and fellow Panther Mark Clark were dead. Though weapons were seized from the apartment, they were never properly identified. Later it was revealed that, of the nearly 100 shots fired during the raid, all except perhaps one were fired by the police. Though Hampton and Clark’s families and the raid’s survivors eventually received a settlement payment of $1.85 million from the city of Chicago, Cook county, and the federal government, none of the officers, agents, or officials involved in the raid were ever convicted of a crime.