Man who harassed subway passengers dies after former Marine puts him in a chokehold, NYPD says

A passenger on the New York City subway died after being put into a chokehold by another rider who says the man was harassing people, police said.

Police said the incident unfolded on the train at the Broadway-Lafayette Street station at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday.

A 30-year-old man was acting erratically and harassing other passengers on the F train when a 24-year-old stepped in and placed him in a chokehold.

Police said the 30-year-old lost consciousness and never regained consciousness despite the efforts of EMS workers at the Broadway–Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street station.

No weapons were used during the altercation, and police said that other passengers on the subway corroborated the man's account that the 30-year-old was harassing them.

One witness told the New York Post that the man was screaming in a threatening manner.

“He said he had no food, he had no drink, that he was tired and doesn’t care if he goes to jail," said freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez. "He started screaming all these things, took off his jacket, a black jacket that he had, and threw it on the ground.”

The 24-year-old was questioned by the NYPD and released without charges. He is also a formerly enlisted marine.

Video of the altercation was obtained by the New York Post.

Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told WABC-TV that the younger man may have been preventing imminent harm but other factors may be considered.

"How long was the actual hold, the neck compression? Was he screaming let me go, let me go? All these things will go into the determination," Boyce explained.

Police said they are awaiting autopsy results on the 30-year-old.

Law enforcement sources said that the 30-year-old man had numerous prior arrests over assault, disorderly conduct, and fare beating.

"The safest thing to do is to call 911 if you can down there, or find an officer nearby," Boyce continued. "However, save those two instances, if there's an immediate need to help someone, you do it. Simple as that. So, he will have to articulate immediate need."

Here's a local news report about the incident:

Man harassing subway riders dies after being put in chokehold, police saywww.youtube.com

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