…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
A Black man died on a New York City subway train after fellow passengers restrained him, with one putting him in a chokehold until he went limp.
Jordan Neely, 30, was shouting and pacing back and forth on board a Manhattan subway train on Monday, complaining about being hungry and thirsty, according to witnesses and police.
At least three people restrained him, including a white 24-year-old US Marine veteran who put his arm around Neely’s neck, while a second passenger pinned his arms and a third held down his shoulder.
Neely lost consciousness and was pronounced dead at a Manhattan hospital after emergency responders and police arrived.
The medical examiner’s office said Neely died from compression of the neck and classified his death as a homicide and the manner as a chokehold.
Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who regularly danced in Times Square, had his death sparked outrage and protests in New York.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office is investigating the incident.
Neely’s death has brought attention to homelessness and mental illness on New York City’s streets and subways.
Following several high-profile incidents, Mayor Eric Adams promised to deploy additional police officers and mental health workers throughout the transit system.
The incident was recorded by a freelance journalist and posted online, sparking strong reactions from New Yorkers and officials.
Some described it as a lethal overreaction to a person who appeared to be in the throes of mental illness, while others defended the Marine veteran’s actions.
A group of protesters gathered on Wednesday afternoon in the station where Neely died to call for an arrest.
Kyle Ishmael, a 38-year-old Harlem resident, said the video of the incident left him feeling “disgusted.”
The incident raises questions about the use of force in restraining individuals who are experiencing mental health crises.
In the past, there have been incidents where individuals have died in police custody after being restrained in a similar manner.
The New York Police Department has banned the use of chokeholds since 1993, but incidents involving the use of force by police officers and civilians continue to occur.
The investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office will hopefully provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding Neely’s death and any criminal culpability.