Black homeless man dies after being placed in a chokehold by former US marine on NYC Subway

Anger is growing in New York after a black homeless man was strangled to death on a subway train, allegedly by a former US Marine.

The altercation has stark parallels to the murder of George Floyd and has sparked protests across the city.

Jordan Neely, 30, allegedly yelled at passengers in the carriage in Manhattan and tried to tell them he was thirsty and hungry.

Witnesses said Mr Neely was then tackled by passengers and restrained by at least three people, including the ex-Marine. The 24-year-old from Long Island, whose identity is unknown, pulled an arm tightly around Mr. Neely’s neck during the scuffle on Monday.

Mr. Neely struggled to break free from the stranglehold, but a second rider held his shoulders down while a third held his arms.

Jordan Neely, 30, was a Michael Jackson impersonator and was often seen dancing around New York in a red Thriller leather jacket and the pop star’s signature penny loafers

Onlookers watched as Mr. Neely passed out. When officers arrived at the scene, he was unresponsive.

Mr Neely was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The death has sparked outrage in New York. According to the New York news website Gothamist, protests are said to have grown in areas of the city, with chants of “Black Lives Matter,” “justice for Jordan Neely,” and “the homeless matter.”

The city’s mayor, Eric Adams, has declined to comment directly on Mr Neely’s death. But his office later said the police’s initial response represented the “double standard that black people and other people of color still face.”

Video of the altercation, filmed by journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, showed the man lying under Mr. Neely holding him in a headlock for several minutes.

His death has been compared to the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on him in 2020 as the victim complained “I can’t breathe,” sparking a summer of rioting.

Onlookers watched as Mr. Neely passed out. When officers arrived at the scene, he was unresponsive

Jordan Neely (pictured), 30, was a street performer and Michael Jackson impersonator

Jordan Neely set up a YouTube channel. 2022 tried to locate him because he hadn’t performed his act in years

The veteran who restrained Mr. Neely was taken into custody but was released without charge.

However, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has ruled Mr. Neely’s death a “homicide” caused by compression of the neck.

A decision on whether or not to charge the Marine will now be made by the Manhattan District Attorney. He has been described as a “decorated” sergeant who was an active duty member until two years ago.