On a fateful Monday afternoon, a 30-year-old homeless man named Jordan Neely faced a tragic end in New York City when an altercation in a subway led to his untimely death. Neely was placed in a chokehold by another passenger, causing him to lose consciousness. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ultimately ruled his death as a homicide on Wednesday evening. Protests have erupted in subway stations throughout the city as well as on social media, with demonstrators demanding justice for Neely and labeling the incident as a modern-day lynching.
According to reports, Neely was aboard a Manhattan subway, expressing his hunger, thirst, and fatigue when he was aggressively subdued and placed in a chokehold by a fellow passenger. The man responsible for the chokehold is a 24-year-old former Marine, who has not been publicly named. A video that has spread online shows Neely on the floor while other passengers assist in restraining him for several minutes.
When New York Police Department officers arrived on the scene, they found Neely unconscious. He was then taken to the hospital, where he later passed away. The former Marine, whom some initially hailed as a good Samaritan, was questioned by police and subsequently released. However, city officials and advocates have called for his arrest, emphasizing the importance of public safety.
BREAKING NEWS: A Former Ex-Marine White Man Has Just Killed A Black Homeless Man In A NYC Subway Train After Choking Him Out For Several Minutes. Reason Was Allegedly Marine Was 'Annoyed' He Was Begging Him For Spare Change And Food. pic.twitter.com/54whAZaDCm
— STREET MEDIA TV ? (@streetmediatv) May 3, 2023
Dave Giffen, executive director of the New York City-based nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless, suggests that the issue is not one of public safety, as homeless individuals are more likely to fall victim to violent crimes than to perpetrate them. The question of public safety has come to the forefront in Neely’s tragic case.
After his death in the hospital on Monday afternoon, the city’s chief medical examiner ruled on Wednesday that Neely’s cause of death was due to ‘compression of the neck,’ resulting in a homicide classification. It should be noted that a homicide finding means his death was caused by another person, not necessarily indicating intention or culpability in murder. In response, the District Attorney’s office plans to review the Medical Examiner’s findings, assess available video and photographic evidence, interview potential witnesses, and gather additional medical records as part of their ongoing investigation.
Under New York law, individuals are permitted to use physical force for self-defense or to protect others, but deadly force can only be applied if there’s reason to believe one’s life is being threatened. In light of this, Neely’s death has sparked many questions and concerns.
New York City’s homeless community has experienced a challenging year, as Mayor Eric Adams’ controversial policies have increased police presence near subway stations and homeless encampments. The situation with Neely’s tragic death has only amplified these concerns.
Anybody that’s ever actually been to NYC knows those homeless people are legit deranged on the train, but 15 mins is excessive
— T O N Y (@itstonyreyes) May 3, 2023
Many people are connecting Neely’s death with the larger issue of the disproportionate number of BIPOC homeless individuals in the United States, who are often the victims of violence. In New York City alone, more than 80% of the homeless population identify as Black or Hispanic, compared to just 53% of the city’s overall population. Speculation has also arisen over whether the choking incident was racially motivated, given that Neely’s assailant was a white man.
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter on Wednesday to express her disapproval of the handling of the case, stating, ‘The murderer gets protected w/ passive headlines + no charges. It’s disgusting.’ Other advocates, like Giffen, are also questioning why the attacker has not been charged, describing the act as a brutal murder in response to Neely’s inconvenient or disruptive behavior.
In response to Neely’s death, protesters have organized vigils, distributed pamphlets, and called for improved social services for unhoused individuals, while urging law enforcement to hold violent perpetrators accountable. New York City Comptroller Brad Landon echoed these sentiments in a tweet on Tuesday, emphasizing that the city cannot become a place where vigilante justice is condoned and unchecked.
Giffen highlights that most people living unsheltered or in shelters with psychiatric disabilities generally desire help and want to find housing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 20 to 25% of the US homeless population suffers from a severe form of mental illness.
With this understanding, Jordy Neely’s desire for help becomes even more poignant. Giffen shares that at the time of his death, Neely was expressing frustration that he couldn’t access the basic necessities required for survival, like sustenance and shelter.
As New York City and the nation grapple with Neely’s tragic death, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerable and marginalized lives that make up America’s homeless population. Addressing the systemic issues that lead to homelessness and protecting this vulnerable community should remain at the center of the conversation.
While the future of Neely’s case remains uncertain, the protestors’ call to action for increased support for unhoused individuals and accountability for acts of violence cannot be ignored. It is essential to ensure that tragedies like Neely’s are not repeated.
As the investigation advances, it will be crucial to examine the role of law enforcement and public policy in addressing the needs of the homeless community and protecting them from violence. Ensuring that every citizen, homeless or not, receives fair and just treatment is the foundation of a just society.
