The death of Jordan Neely, a 23-year-old Black man, has sparked outrage and calls for justice in San Diego, California. Neely died after being placed in a chokehold by a former Marine who was working as a security guard at a grocery store.
The incident occurred on May 5, 2023, when Neely entered the store without a face mask. The security guard, identified as 28-year-old David McFadden, asked Neely to put on a mask, but Neely refused and became agitated.
According to witnesses, McFadden then placed Neely in a chokehold and held him there for several minutes, despite pleas from Neely that he could not breathe. Neely lost consciousness and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Neely’s death a homicide, caused by “compression of the neck and torso during a physical restraint.”
Following the incident, McFadden was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. He is currently being held on a $1 million bail.
Neely’s family and activists have called for justice and accountability for his death, citing systemic racism and police brutality against Black people. They also demanded that the grocery store and security company responsible for hiring McFadden be held accountable for their role in Neely’s death.
The case has drawn comparisons to the killing of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer placed him in a similar chokehold in 2020. The incident sparked worldwide protests against police brutality and racism.
The manslaughter charges against McFadden are expected to be filed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days. The case is also being investigated by the San Diego Police Department and the FBI.
The death of Jordan Neely has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of police brutality and systemic racism in the United States. His family and community are demanding accountability and justice for his tragic death.