Homeless Man Killed On New York Subway

Topline

Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, was killed on a New York City subway Monday after another rider placed him in a chokehold, according to police, sparking protests from city residents and politicians over the decision to release the man who killed him.

Jordan Neely, 30, was killed earlier this week after being restrained by another subway passenger.

Associated Press

Key Facts

Witnesses aboard a northbound F train Monday afternoon said Neely had been acting hostile toward passengers aboard the train before he was approached by another rider, who then restrained Neely, according to the New York Times.

The rider who restrained Neely was identified as a 24-year-old Marine veteran, who was questioned by police and subsequently released.

Neely’s death was ruled a homicide Wednesday by the city’s medical examiner, following compression to his neck because of the chokehold, which reportedly lasted 15 minutes.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday it was investigating Neely’s death after it was ruled a homicide, noting its investigation is “being handled by senior, experienced prosecutors.”

A decision to release the veteran—a decorated sergeant who left the service two years ago—has spawned local outrage and protests, as some argued Neely was unlawfully restrained while he experienced a mental health crisis.

Neely, known as a frequent Michael Jackson impersonator on the subway system, had been arrested 42 times on charges that include petty larceny, theft and unprovoked assault.

Crucial Quote

Attorney Lennon Edwards said he is representing Neely “because 15 minutes is too long to go without help, intervention and without air,” adding, “Passengers are not supposed to die on the floor of our subways.”

Chief Critic

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) criticized a decision to not charge the rider and said Neely’s “family deserves justice,” noting the rider did not need to restrain Neely because “he was not going to cause harm to these other people.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) said Neely was “murdered,” suggesting “it’s disgusting” the rider “gets protected with passive headlines and no charges.” State Sen. Samra Brouk (D) said “broken systems failed” Neely and his behavior was not “grounds for a death sentence.” State Sen. Jamaal Bailey said Neely “deserved help, not a death sentence.” Adrienne Adams, speaker of the New York City Council, said Neely’s death is “another example of how far we remain from an equitable and just society.”

Contra

New York City Mayor Eric Adams—who offered his support to Neely’s family—told CNN it is “not very responsible” for officials to criticize a decision to not charge the rider.

What To Watch For

A grand jury will determine whether to charge the rider in Neely’s death next week, law enforcement officials told ABC News.

Key Background

Neely struggled with mental health issues after his mother, Christie, was murdered in 2007, his father, Andre Zachery, told the New York Daily News. Nealy experienced “some hard times” before high school, according to CNN, though one friend said Neely was “a really good kid.” Recently, Neely has been recognized for dancing in the Times Square subway hub. Neely’s death comes after an increase in crime on the subway transit system during the pandemic. Still, the subway is less dangerous than it was in the 1980s and 1990s and the number of subway crimes has decreased in recent years, according to the New York Times. A spate of recent violence has prompted attention from beyond the city, including Republicans who say New York City is experiencing a crime wave amid a series of subway attacks, including Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), who said the city “has lost its way.” Both Hochul—who said, “Crime has been a problem”—and Adams have acknowledged violence on the city’s subway system, though both said crime has decreased since they introduced new policing initiatives. Adams has advocated for more services tailored to combat mental illness, including new telehealth options for minors, and said the city has a “moral obligation” to support city residents suffering from severe mental illness. Hochul also pledged to increase the number of beds available in the city’s psychiatric treatment facilities, in an effort to treat mental illness among homeless people.