Today is Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

On this day in 1971, NYPD Detective Frank Serpico was shot in the face while making a drug bust.

Many believe that the shooting was set up to silence Serpico, who was a whistleblower against police corruption.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parcast.

Due to the graphic nature of this event, listener discretion is advised.

We advise extreme caution for children under 13.

I'm Vanessa Richardson, and today I'm joined by our guest hosts, Ash Kelly and Elena Urquhart from Crime Countdown.

Their show lists off 10 of the most unsettling true crime stories, all centered on a common

theme. They'll discuss some of the historical aspects of today crime stories, all centered on a common theme. They'll discuss some

of the historical aspects of today's story, while I'll cover the narrative. Thanks, Vanessa.

We're thrilled to explore the unusual circumstances involving the shooting of NYPD detective,

Frank Serpico. Absolutely. Now let's go back to the evening of February 3rd, 1971, to the Williamsburg neighborhood

in Brooklyn.

778 Driggs Avenue was one of the larger apartment buildings on the street.

Its dirty white façade stuck out like a sore thumb.

Frank Serpico, sitting in an unmarked police car, couldn't take his eyes off of it.

Frank wasn't alone.

He and three other narcotics officers were staking out the joint

on a tip that a drug deal was to go down that night. Same shift, different day.

As they waited for their informant to give the signal,

Frank realized he and his team didn't have the best view.

If the deal happened inside, they wouldn't be able to see it.

...