A New York City medical examiner has ruled the death of Eric Garner a homicide, pointing to the chokehold placed on him by an NYPD officer.
On Friday, ME spokeswoman Julie Bolcer said the 43-year-old husband and father was killed by “the compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police.” She said asthma, heart disease and obesity were also contributing factors.
Eric Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, said her first words after the death being ruled a homicide were “Thank you, Jesus.” She is also said to be grateful for the findings and the family is seeking justice for Garner.
Garner died July 17 in State Island following a run-in with the police over his alleged sale of untaxed cigarettes. In a video that has gone viral, he can be seen arguing with cops and asking them to leave him alone before officer Daniel Pantaleo puts him in a chokehold, a move prohibited by NYPD departmental policy.
The NYPD has yet to speak out about the medical examiner’s ruling, but Pantaleo remains on desk duty as he’s been stripped of his gun and badge. Four emergency workers have also been suspended without pay.
The death is currently being investigated by at least four authorities which include the Staten Island district attorney, the police department’s internal affairs bureau, the city’s inspector general of police and the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board. Additionally, Attorney General Eric Holder has said the Justice Department is “closely monitoring” the investigation.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Family photo via National Action Network
Police Commissioner William Bratton has reportedly ordered a top-to-bottom redesigning of use-of-force training in the NYPD.