Eric Garner's Family Suing New York City Over His Death

Eric Garner's Family Suing New York City Over His Death
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, left, and his sister Ellisha Garner, hug during a rally at the National Action Network headquarters, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Eric Garner, 43, died on Thursday, July 18, during an arrest in Staten Island, when a plain-clothes police officer placed him in what appeared be a choke hold while several others brought him to the ground and struggled to place him in handcuffs. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, left, and his sister Ellisha Garner, hug during a rally at the National Action Network headquarters, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Eric Garner, 43, died on Thursday, July 18, during an arrest in Staten Island, when a plain-clothes police officer placed him in what appeared be a choke hold while several others brought him to the ground and struggled to place him in handcuffs. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

The family of Eric Garner, the 43-year-old man who died in July after police put him in a chokehold, is planning to sue New York City over his death, the New York Times reported.

The lawsuit also targets the New York Police department as well as several individual officers who were present when he died. According to the Staten Island Advance, family members are seeking $75 million in damages for wrongful death, among other claims.

On July 17th, Garner was arrested for illegally selling cigarettes. During his arrest, an officer named Daniel Pantaleo put him in a chokehold and pushed his head into the ground. He died minutes later of a heart attack.

A leaked video of the incident sparked massive criticisms of police tactics and cries for justice.

The New York City medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. Pantaleo and another officer were reassigned but remain on the force.

Last month, it was announced that a grand jury would be convened into Garner's death to determine if criminal charges would be brought against the officers involved.

Below is the Garner family's full claim:

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot