NYPD disputes report that black teen's death was hate crime
NEW YORK -- New York City police are disputing a report that a black teenager was chased by a mostly white group that shouted racial slurs before he collapsed and died.
Police officials said Friday that there was no evidence that 16-year-old Dayshen McKenzie was the victim of a hate crime.
The Daily News had quoted a woman and a man who described a chase involving mostly white attackers using racial slurs. Police said the woman had since claimed she was misquoted and the man wouldn't speak to investigators.
"During the initial interviews, no one reported any racial or biased-related comments," NYPD chief of detectives Robert Boyce said, according to CBS New York.
Police said other witnesses said McKenzie was part of a mixed-race group that had gathered to watch a gang-related dispute. They said he and others ran away after someone claimed to have a gun.
The dead teen had asthma and a heart condition. His official cause of death is pending.