The Slatest

New York City Settles With Eric Garner’s Family for $5.9 Million Over Police Killing

Protestors at the location where Eric Garner was killed during a scuffle with police last year in New York City.  

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The family of Eric Garner, who was killed last July by New York City police officers, agreed on Monday to a $5.9 million settlement with the city, the family’s lawyer tells the New York Times. Garner’s death at the hands of the New York Police Department was caught on tape as the officers circled Garner and officer Daniel Pantaleo tackled him using a chokehold. Garner pleaded “I can’t breathe” as Pantaleo choked him to death. Garner was thought to be selling cigarettes and was unarmed. The death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner; a Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo. Garner’s death and the grand jury’s decision not to indict Pantaleo spurred nationwide protests.

The Garner family filed a preliminary notice claiming $75 million in damages. “The settlement was reached even as several inquiries into Mr. Garner’s death were still pending, including investigations by the United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the Civilian Complaint Review Board and state health officials, who are looking into the actions of emergency medical responders in treating Mr. Garner,” the Times reports. “The Police Department has concluded its internal investigation but has yet to say whether any officers would be disciplined.”