The New York Attorney General's Office has announced the initiation of an investigation into a civilian death that occurred over three years ago after an altercation with New York City police officers. Anthony Troy James died on June 4, 2022, following an encounter that turned fatal in Harlem, as disclosed in a press release.
According to the Attorney General's statement, NYPD officers were involved in a foot chase with Mr. James after midnight. Officers reported Mr. James for behaving erratically before a struggle ensued. After Mr. James was in handcuffs, he subsequently became unresponsive while waiting for the ambulance and later died at a local hospital. The incident took place near West 148th Street on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.
This case falls under the mandate of the Office of Special Investigation (OSI), which reviews potential officer-caused fatalities. Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI examines cases where a death may have resulted by an act or omission of on-duty or off-duty police officers or peace officers. This includes situations where the deceased may have been armed or unarmed at the time of the incident, and whether they were in custody or not.
The details of the case are still developing, with the Attorney General's office stating, "These are preliminary facts and subject to change." The OSI has the authority to conduct a full investigation if the assessment points to the possibility that the officer was responsible for the death, according to the Attorney General's office.
