Photo: Paul Martinka via AP
New York City police and prosecutors are investigating the death of a 30-year-old subway busker after a fellow passenger restrained the man and held him in a chokehold.
“This is a solemn and serious matter that ended in the tragic loss of Jordan Neely’s life,” Doug Cohen, press secretary for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, said in a statement to PEOPLE. “As part of our rigorous ongoing investigation, we will review the Medical Examiner’s report, assess all available video and photo footage, identify and interview as many witnesses as possible, and obtain additional medical records.”
On Monday afternoon, Neely was riding a northbound F train in Manhattan when he began harassing passengers, authoritiestold multiple news outlets including ABC 7.
Jordan Neely.Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty
“He starts to make a speech,” Juan Alberto Vazquez, who filmed the encounter,told theNew York Post. “He started screaming in an aggressive manner. He said he had no food, he had no drink, that he was tired and doesn’t care if he goes to jail. He started screaming all these things, took off his jacket, a black jacket that he had, and threw it on the ground.”
Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who had a history of mental illness, was transported to Lenox Hill Hospital where he was pronounced dead, per ABC 7.
The ride who put Neely in the chokehold was taken into custody, police say, but has been released.
Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty
Now, protesters have taken to the streets demanding justice as New York City leaders look for answers as to how the subway incident culminated in Neely’s death.
Mayor Eric Adams toldThe Timesthat the incident was “tragic,” and added that “there’s a lot we don’t know about what happened here.”
“However, we do know that there were serious mental health issues in play here, which is why our administration has made record investments in providing care to those who need it and getting people off the streets and the subways, and out of dangerous situations.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine agreed. “He always made people smile. Our broken mental health system failed him. He deserved help, not to die in a chokehold on the floor of the subway.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio Corteztweeted Wednesday nightthat “Jordan Neely was murdered.”
“But [because] Jordan was houseless and crying for food in a time when the city is raising rents and stripping services to militarize itself while many in power demonize the poor, the murderer gets protected w/ passive headlines + no charges. It’s disgusting.”
Jake Offenhartz/AP Photo
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Activists are set to protest outside the D.A.’s office on Thursday, according to ABC 7, as the investigation continues.
He encouraged those who witnessed the event or has any information to call 212-335-9040.
source: people.com
