According to WABC, New York City’s medical examiner determined Neely died from neck compression. The 30-year-old, who was recognizable to many New Yorkers as a Michael Jackson impersonator who often performed in the Times Square transit area, was agitated and yelling on a train in Manhattan on Monday when three riders restrained him, one of which was a U.S. Marine veteran who pulled his arm tightly around Neely’s neck.

After the incident, Neely was left unconscious and was pronounced dead at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Though the death has been ruled a homicide, that doesn’t mean it will be prosecuted as a homicide. Instead, the District Attorney’s office in Manhattan will have to make that decision, and it is currently investigating the incident.

“As part of our rigorous ongoing investigation, we will review the Medical Examiner’s report, assess all available video and photo footage, identify and interview as many witnesses as possible, and obtain additional medical records,” a spokesperson for the district attorney said in a statement.

Neely’s death has sparked debate on social media. Some believe the Marine veteran did what he could to protect other riders on the train. But, at the same time, some found the fatal incident heartbreaking and an inappropriate way to handle someone dealing with mental health issues.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez agrees with the latter.

“Jordan Neely was murdered. But bc Jordan was houseless and crying for food in a time when the city is raising rents and stripping services to militarize itself while many in power demonize the poor, the murderer gets protected w/ passive headlines + no charges. It’s disgusting,” she wrote on Twitter. 

Jordan Neely was murdered.

But bc Jordan was houseless and crying for food in a time when the city is raising rents and stripping services to militarize itself while many in power demonize the poor, the murderer gets protected w/ passive headlines + no charges.

It’s disgusting. https://t.co/YJeQp9bbgE

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 3, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams replied to the tweet in a since-deleted comment, arguing the congresswoman’s remarks were unfair.

“I don’t think that’s very responsible at the time when we’re still investigating the situation,” he said. “Let the DA conduct his investigation with the law enforcement officials. To really interfere with that is not the right thing to do and I’m going to be responsible and allow them to do their job.”

 

Videos of Neely show an undeniable talent, and he brought joy to many passersby over the years.

According to The Guardian, Neely’s death has sparked protests in subway stations and New York City streets. Protesters believe Neely’s death is proof of a significant problem in the city and other urban areas around the country. Though naysayers say crime against the unhoused or those living with mental health challenges is going down, a 2022 study by The Guardian and the University of Washington found that in 20 U.S. urban areas, deaths of unhoused people rose to 77% over five years.