Deals & development · 10/16/2026
AG opens probe into death after restraint at Brooklyn men's shelter
The Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation has opened an investigation into the death of a man at a DHS men's shelter on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn. He allegedly pushed a DHS peace officer. DHS and NYPD officers then restrained him, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital. State Executive Law 70-b requires OSI to review deaths that officers may have caused.
Published by NY Attorney GeneralRead the original ↗
What happened
The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a man after an encounter with New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) officers at a men's shelter in Brooklyn. The Attorney General's office announced the investigation on October 16, 2026.
According to the Attorney General's office, at 5:05 p.m. on December 21, 2025, a man allegedly pushed a DHS peace officer at a men's shelter on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn. DHS officers tried to handcuff him, and a struggle followed. NYPD officers arrived and helped restrain the man. He became unresponsive during the restraint. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
OSI had been doing a preliminary assessment of the case. It says it opened a full investigation after receiving new information. The office did not describe that information.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every reported incident in which a police officer or peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused a person's death by an act or omission. This applies whether the officer was on duty or off duty, whether the person was armed or unarmed, and whether the person was in custody. If the assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI conducts a full investigation.
Key facts
- Agency investigating
- NY Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation (OSI)
- Agencies involved in encounter
- NYPD and Department of Homeless Services (DHS)
- Location
- Men's shelter on Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn
- Date and time of incident
- December 21, 2025, 5:05 p.m.
- Outcome
- Man became unresponsive during restraint and was pronounced dead at a local hospital
- Legal authority
- New York State Executive Law Section 70-b
- Status
- Full investigation opened after new information; previously a preliminary assessment
- Announced
- October 16, 2026
What it means
Tenants and voucher holders
People living in DHS shelters should know that deaths involving DHS peace officers fall under the same state review as deaths involving police. The case is still under investigation, and no findings have been released.
Caseworkers
Caseworkers with clients at the Clarkson Avenue men's shelter may hear questions or concerns about this case. The only confirmed details so far are the ones the Attorney General's office has released.
The highlights
- The man died December 21, 2025 after a struggle at a Clarkson Avenue shelter.
- DHS peace officers and NYPD officers restrained him, and he became unresponsive.
- OSI moved from a preliminary assessment to a full probe after new information.
Why it matters Caseworkers
It puts DHS shelter security practices under state review, which matters to caseworkers placing clients in city shelters.
Not known yet
- The name of the man who died
- What new information led OSI to open a full investigation
- The exact shelter address and the shelter operator
- How long the investigation will take and whether a report will be released
Background
The Department of Homeless Services runs New York City's shelter system. It uses its own peace officers, along with contracted security, at many shelter sites. Since 2021, the Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation has had authority under state law to review deaths that may have been caused by police officers or peace officers across New York State. An OSI investigation can end with criminal charges or with a public report explaining why charges were not brought.
Summary written by Bulwark from the NY Attorney General’s announcement. The original story is at ag.ny.gov. This is general information, not legal advice.
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0