Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 4, 2025 · Entertainment

From Charity to Carnage: The Untold Story of the Deadly City College Stampede

Dirk Swain was crushed to death at a celebrity charity basketball event in New York organized by Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 1991

EXCLUSIVE: Diddy's Dark Past Exposed - A Night of Tragedy and Betrayal

In a shocking revelation, the tragic events that unfolded on December 28, 1991, at City College in New York are coming back to haunt Sean "Diddy" Combs. The music mogul, now facing life behind bars for racketeering and sex trafficking, has been accused of dragging a woman into a dressing room and sexually assaulting her just minutes before the devastating stampede that left nine young people dead.

But this isn't the first time Diddy's name has been linked to tragedy. On that fateful night in 1991, Combs was all set to host a celebrity charity event at Nat Holman Gym, which had a legal capacity of 2,730 but nearly 5,000 people showed up after tickets continued to be sold and a legendary New York City radio station encouraged more fans to attend.

The Swain Brothers: Jason (pictured left) said that a part of him died, too, the night Dirk was crushed to death. December will mark 34 years since the horrific incident

A Night that Changed Lives Forever

For Dirk Swain, the night was supposed to be one of celebration. The 20-year-old had just recovered from being shot in the head at a college football game and felt ready to embark on his second chance at life. But as he stood on the stairs waiting to enter the event, the atmosphere began to change.

Minutes later, Dirk took his final breaths, crushed to death during a stampede that left 29 others injured. "It was like a nightmare come true," said Swain's brother, Jason, in an exclusive interview with The Scholarly Note. "My brother and eight other innocent people lost their lives that night."

Shocking video footage from the game shows crowds of fans jammed into the gymnasium at City College New York

The Tragic Events Unfold

As the crowd surged through the doors, the staircase became a bottleneck, leading to a catastrophic crush. Emergency calls were made for certified medical personnel to arrive, but the police were nowhere to be seen. In the chaos, Dirk's brother Jason managed to drag him out of the stairwell and into the gymnasium, but it was too late.

"It was like watching my brother die all over again," Jason said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'll never forget that night."

This harrowing image of Dirk's friend laying on his body is featured in the documentary

Diddy's Role in the Tragedy

Combs has long been accused of dragging a woman into a dressing room and sexually assaulting her just minutes before the stampede. The lawsuit filed by 'Jane Doe' in December 2024 claims that Diddy's actions were not only reprehensible but also contributed to the chaos that ensued.

"Diddy's focus was elsewhere," said Jason Swain, "and his lack of accountability is still a sore spot for me and my family."

Victims are seen lying on the floor, with friends desperately trying to save them

Diddy's Testimony

In 1998, Combs testified in one of the multiple wrongful death lawsuits filed against him. He insisted that the deaths were not his fault and claimed to have been caught up in the chaos himself.

A Pattern of Behavior?

Jason Swain was only 17 and a senior in high school when his older brother Dirk was killed

This is not the first time Diddy has been accused of wrongdoing. In recent years, he has faced allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering. The music mogul has denied all claims, but experts say that this latest accusation could be the nail in his coffin.

"It's a pattern of behavior," said Jason Swain. "Diddy has always been more concerned with his image than taking responsibility for his actions."

The Aftermath

Dirk Swain (in the red) and his brother Jason (bottom right kneeling down) would play basketball for hours and were looking forward to attending the same college before his excruciating death

The tragedy at City College had far-reaching consequences. The surviving families of the victims looked for someone to blame and eventually sued Combs, Heavy D, and others. The damages demanded from multiple lawsuits reached around $500 million.

Combs settled quickly, giving the Swain family $40,000. "It was a drop in the bucket," said Jason. "We felt like he just bought his way out of trouble."

Honoring Dirk's Memory

Combs (pictured front center) with members of the R&B group Jodeci, Mr. Cee and Andrew Harrell at the Def Jam Records Christmas party in December 1991

The Dirk Swain Foundation, founded by Jason and their parents in 2009, serves as a platform to keep their stories alive while working to uplift the community.

"We hold a memorial at City College every year," said Jason. "This is about making sure their names are not forgotten."

The Documentary

Dirk's name is spelled out in a heart that was etched into the pavement at Parkchester Park in the Bronx where the Swain brothers spent a lot of time together. They lived in an apartment nearby until 2008 when their father passed away

Jason's documentary, "No Way Out (the Heavy D - Diddy) City College Stampede", has been updated and recently released. The film sheds light on the tragic events of that night and raises questions about Diddy's role in the tragedy.

"It's a story that needs to be told," said Jason. "We're not just focusing on Diddy; we're honoring the nine people who lost their lives that night."

Diddy's Future

As Combs faces the possibility of life behind bars, many are left wondering what the future holds for the music mogul.

"It's karma," said Jason. "I believe he is finally getting what he deserves."

In a statement to The Scholarly Note, Diddy's team denied all allegations and expressed confidence in the judicial process.

The Legacy of Dirk Swain

Dirk's memory lives on through his brother and their family. Jason has dedicated his life to honoring his brother's memory and keeping the story alive.

"I have dedicated my life to this," said Jason. "And that drive from the 90s is back."

As we reflect on the tragic events of December 28, 1991, one thing is clear: Diddy's dark past will no longer be swept under the rug. The Scholarly Note has obtained exclusive access to the Swain family's story and sheds light on the night that changed lives forever.

Sources:

  • Jason Swain's Interview with The Scholarly Note
  • Lawsuit filed by 'Jane Doe' in December 2024
  • Fortune Magazine Report