AG Office of Special Investigation Announces Probe Into Death After Police Tasering

YONKERS, NY — The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation said it has opened a formal investigation into a death in Yonkers, after police deployed tasers during an encounter with a suspect.

Sean Daniel died on April 7, following the encounter with members of the Yonkers Police Department. The Office of Special Investigation was previously conducting a preliminary assessment of the matter and has now opened an investigation following the receipt of new information, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.

At 7:19 p.m. that day officers went to a building on Bruce Avenue in response to a 911 call. When officers arrived, they saw Daniel assaulting a person, according to the police department. Two officers fired their Tasers, and four officers attempted to restrain Daniel, according to police.

Daniel became unconscious and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The OSI is required to assess every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI is required to conduct a full investigation of the incident.