On January 27, 1973, a brief street encounter in New York City ended with the death of 16-year-old Black girl Rita Lloyd. She was with a friend when police stopped them and, within moments, an officer fired a shot that killed her. Later retellings identify the shooter as plainclothes officer Robert Milano, who said the teenagers aimed a sawed-off shotgun at him and that he fired in self-defense. Witnesses disputed that account, saying no weapon was pointed in the direction the officer described.

No one was prosecuted in connection with Lloyd’s death; the incident remains notable in memorial compilations and political writing as one of several fatal encounters with law enforcement that did not result in charges, trial, or conviction. Her name has persisted mainly through remembrance and broader reckonings over police violence rather than a criminal case record.

If anyone knew Rita, witnessed the 1973 incident, or has information that hasn’t been shared publicly, please come forward.