Demonstrators have gathered all around New York City calling on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to press charges and demand justice in Jordan Neely’s chokehold killing.
They were threatening to “tear the city down” if the Marine who killed Neely is not vigorously pursued.
It is yet unknown if any arrests have been made. Next week, a grand jury is anticipated to meet to hear the case’s evidence.
The New York City Police Department has made a request for aid with their investigation and is looking for the public’s help in evaluating video and other materials.
A DA spokeswoman said in a statement that as part of their ongoing investigation, they would analyze the Medical Examiner’s report, evaluate all available video and photo footage, find and speak with as many witnesses as they could, and collect further medical data.
The 24-year-old former marine and college student, identified by his legal representative as Danny Penny, was implicated in Neely’s death and released a statement offering sorrow over what he called a “awful tragedy.”
🚨 #BREAKING: Protests in NYC taking place due to the death of Jordan Neely, are rapidly escalating and becoming increasingly violent.
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Is this 2020 all over again? pic.twitter.com/qJQxS3rK1R— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) May 6, 2023
“When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived,” according to Penny’s attorneys. “Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death.”
Authorities are still looking into the chokehold death that occurred on the metro. More than six witnesses have already been questioned by detectives, while “four or five more” who were in close proximity to the incident are still being sought.
Neely was killed by at least three individuals, including the Marine veteran who is seen in the middle of the video showing Neely being put in a chokehold. He has come under fire from activists who want him to be charged. The city’s medical examiner determined that Neely died from neck compression.
Furthermore, Juan Alberto Vázquez, the witness who recorded video of Neely yelling and making violent threats, said Neely had a confrontation on a train. He reported that Neely was behaving erratically and aggressively. Neely’s behavior escalated to the extent that he said he didn’t care what happened to him.
Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the incident and asked for patience as the investigation unfolds. Gov. Kathy Hochul also expressed concern for Neely’s family.
Neely, a well-known Michael Jackson impersonator, frequently performed dance routines around the Times Square transportation hub.
On Wednesday afternoon, protesters gathered at the station where the incident occurred to demand an arrest. They are also hoping that the tragedy would compel government officials to act and solve the mental health crisis plaguing the city’s streets and subways.
Sara Newman of the Open Hearts Initiative expressed that Neely’s passing “underscores a truth that folks who have lived on the streets know especially well: people experiencing homelessness or mental illness are at far higher risk of being harmed than of harming others.”
