Massacre at Central Park

"For her, there was never going to be any tomorrow, see. The last time I'd see her, I'd be holding her lifeless body in my arms. Meat was spilling out of her, Red. The place that her face used to be."

- Frank Castle

The Massacre at Central Park was a sting operation organized by Samantha Reyes in an attempt to arrest the Blacksmith. When the Blacksmith did not appear, a firefight ensued between the rival gangs in attendance.

Background
In 2015, a mysterious individual known as the Blacksmith rose through the ranks as one of New York City's most powerful drug lords. Despite efforts to track him, the Blacksmith proved to be elusive.

Eventually, an undercover agent learned that the Blacksmith had arranged a meeting in Central Park between the Dogs of Hell, the Kitchen Irish and the Mexican Cartel.

District Attorney Samantha Reyes set up a sting operation, but did not clear the park of civilians due to fear of showing their hand.

Massacre
When the Blacksmith failed to appear, the gangs grew restless and eventually discovered the undercover agent's true identity. This sparked a firefight that resulted in both the agent and several gang members losing their lives.

War hero Frank Castle, who was spending time with his family after returning from Iraq the day before, was shot in the head but survived. His wife Maria, daughter Lisa and son Frank Jr. all lost their lives.

Aftermath
Desperate to protect her reputation, Samantha Reyes coerced Gregory Tepper into identifying the undercover agent as a John Doe and kept news of the massacre from leaking for a week. Reyes also placed a "do not resuscitate" order on Frank Castle in an attempt to ensure his death.

Although Castle flatlined, he came back to life and subsequently escaped the hospital, intent on punishing those responsible for his family's death. '