NYPD strips Staten Island office of gun and badge after killing Eric Garner

While we're all waiting to find out what will happen in the case of the senseless death of Eric Garner at the hands of a Staten Island police officer, the NYPD has at least taken some action. They have stripped the officer responsible, who has a history of complaints for police brutality, of his gun and badge. But he has yet to face any formal charges. The Gothamist reports:

The police issued a statement, “Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo has been place on Modified Assignment pending further investigation into the July 17, 2014 incident involving Eric Garner in the 120 Precinct.”

Previously, it was announced that Pantaleo, an eight-year veteran, would be placed on desk duty along with Police Officer Justin Damico, a four-year veteran.

Police claim that Eric Garner, 43, was selling untaxed cigarettes and that the officers attempted to handcuff him around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday outside 202 Bay Street in Tompkinsville. A disturbing video obtained by the Daily News shows Garner arguing with the police: “I was just minding my own business. Every time you see me you want to mess with me. I’m tired of it. It stops today!” When a number of cops try to subdue him, Garner, who weighed 350 pounds, is seen swatting their hands away and saying, “Don’t touch me, please.”

As Pantaleo puts him in a chokehold, other officers struggle to pull him to the ground and get his arms behind his back. Garner, an asthmatic, can be heard repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.” The NYPD says he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at Richmond University Medical Center.