The 1919 Omaha race riot was sparked by the false accusation of sexual assault made against Will Brown, an African American man. A mob of white residents lynched Brown and then spent two days burning and destroying homes and businesses in the black community. Estimates put the death toll between 2 to 50 people and injuries to 100-200, with $1.5 million in property damage. Despite evidence, very few of the white perpetrators faced legal consequences like fines or short jail sentences. The riot increased segregation and economic disadvantages for African Americans while also causing lasting trauma.