On May 1, Jordan Neely, a homeless black man in New York City, was choked to death by a white man, Daniel Penny, on the subway. The local police questioned Penny and released him on the same day. In the past few days, this incident has triggered continuous protests among New Yorkers, demanding justice for the dead.
According to local media reports, the 30-year-old Neely yelled loudly on the subway that day and was then subdued by the 24-year-old Navy retired soldier Penny with a chokehold. Neely then fell into a coma and was declared dead at the hospital. The forensic doctor determined on the 3rd that Neely died of homicide.
Since the 3rd, people in New York have held commemorative activities and demonstrations in places such as the station where the incident occurred, demanding justice for Neely and calling for attention to public housing and mental health issues.
Investigators will review forensic reports, evaluate all available video and photos, interview as many witnesses as possible, and obtain additional medical records, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a statement on the 4th. New York Mayor Eric Adams called on people not to rush to judgement and to let prosecutors and law enforcement officials investigate.
According to reports, the New York police and prosecutors are investigating the incident, and the prosecutors may allow a grand jury to decide whether to indict Penney in the near future.
The United States has long faced ethnic conflicts and racial discrimination. As a financial centre, New York City is also plagued by chronic problems such as housing shortages, a lack of timely relief for people’s mental health problems, an influx of illegal immigrants, drug abuse, and a deterioration of social security.