Six more people wanted for jumping on subway tracks during Jordan Neely death protest, NYPD says
NEW YORK -- The NYPD has released pictures of six people wanted for criminal trespassing during a protest over the death of Jordan Neely.
Police said the suspects caused a hazardous condition and interrupted subway service when they jumped onto the tracks at the station at 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue.
More than 100 demonstrators stormed the station on Saturday. Video shows demonstrators held the doors open and stopped an F train at around 6 p.m. As police tried to intervene, others jumped onto the tracks.
Twelve people were already arrested and multiped officers were injured, according to NYPD.
Watch Lisa Rozner's report
The MTA said a train carrying approximately 450 passengers had to stop and was unable to proceed into the station for about an hour.
"Jumping on tracks is dangerous, reckless and can be life threatening. While peaceful protest has always been part of American fabric, endangering transit workers and other responders, while also delaying New Yorkers just trying to get where they need to go, by deliberately risking contact with an electrified third rail, is unacceptable," said NYC Transit President Richard Davey.
"NYC failed you" and "Justice for Jordan Neely" are some of the messages on a growing memorial outside the Broadway-Lafayette subway station.
That's where Neely was acting erratically on an F train, according to police, and Marine veteran Daniel Penny tried to subdue him on May 1. Video shows Penny put Neely in a chokehold.
Neely, 30, later died and his death was ruled a homicide. Penny, 24, was questioned and released, which prompted multiple protests.
A grand jury could hear the case to decide if criminal charges should be brought against Penny as soon as Monday.
Sources said Neely was homeless, had a history of mental illness and was arrested more than 40 times for charges including assault and disorderly conduct.
Sunday, CNN reported the city Department of Homeless Services had Neely's name on a top-50 list of homeless people identified as having "acute needs." A source told CNN people on the list often disappear and city workers reach out to other organizations to find them.
CBS2 reached out to the Department of Homeless Services for comment, but the agency said it cannot disclose specifics about clients or case histories.