Medical examiner spokeswoman Julie Bolcer stated that Eric Garner’s death is a homicide, the AP reports. The 43-year-old father of six died after being placed in chokehold by an NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo. Bolcer stated that Garner died as a result of “the compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police,” and that “asthma and heart disease were contributing factors.”
There has been widespread outrage over police brutality since Garner’s death. Pantaleo’s 120th Precinct has come under scrutiny for multiple cases of abuse. The NYPD has yet to comment on the ruling.
