The day has finally come where SOME justice was served.
Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer who had Eric Garner in a chokehold while he yelled out “I can’t breathe”, has been fired. After five years of investigating, protesting, begging and pleading for justice to be served the community, family and friends can now have some peace. In a statement made on Monday 8/19/2019, Police Commissioner, James O’Neill agrees it is clear Officer Pantaleo “can no longer effectively serve as a New York City police officer.” He also went along to say Eric Garner’s death is an “irreversible tragedy” that “must have a consequence.”
Originally, Pantaleo was not indicted by a state grand jury, but that didn’t stop federal authorities from continuing to investigate this tragedy.
In the video Pantaleo is seen with his hands clamped around Garner’s neck as Garner pleads for his life yelling “I can’t breathe!” He was heard yelling this at least 11 times before falling unconscious. A medical examiner confirmed the chokehold contributed to the death of Eric Garner.
The community seems satisfied with Pantaleo being fired, however, some are still dissatisfied that no further action was taken. Although he cannot be brought back, hopefully the family can find some peace in this storm.