Black Lives Matter: Where is Daniel Pantaleo now? Here's what happened to cop who killed Eric Garner in 2013
In 2014, Eric Garner screamed "I can't breathe" 11 times before he lost consciousness. He was later pronounced dead. The police officer who held Garner in a chokehold was fired in 2019, more than five years after Garner was killed on Staten Island. Garner's dying words became the flame for the Black Lives Matter movement, a symbol of police brutality that many African-Americans have suffered.
But what happened to that officer? The full story is just now coming into the picture, as the repeal of shield laws reveals Daniel Pantaleo's violent past. Despite video evidence, Pantaleo walked free and was not changed by the state despite engaging in a specifically prohibited behavior.
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Pantaleo has 18 cases of misconduct to his name, according to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) at the NYPD. His actions even led to the creation of the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act, signed into law in 2020 in New York state. Yet, the former police officer faces almost no repercussions for his acts.
Pantaleo and the killing of Garner
Eric Garner died in July 2014 after he was held in a chokehold by Pantaleo for several minutes. he then faced a grand jury in December 2014, who declined to indict him on criminal charges. That verdict led to heavy criticism and protests, but nothing changed. Pantaleo continued to serve on the force. In July 2015, the city reached an agreement with Garner's family to pay a settlement of $5.9 million.
None of that money came from Pantaleo, nor did he face any further actions at the time. 2018 was the first time Pantaleo faced action after the city's CCRB decided to bring charges for the "reckless use of force" and "intentionally restricted Eric Garner's breathing". The first charge is equivalent to a third-degree misdemeanor; the second to a first-degree felony. yet, the CCRB only sought Pantaleo's termination.
Finally, in August 2019, five years after Garner died Pantaleo was fired by the NYPD. “The unintended consequence of Mr. Garner’s death must have a consequence of its own," Police Commissioner James O'Neill said at the time. Pantaleo was found guilty of misconduct for recklessly applying a chokehold. As a result of the firing, he was not eligible to collect his full pension, but would only receive the amount he put in.
The 13-year-veteran however, refused to back down. In September, he filed a case against the Commissioner and the NYPD, arguing his termination was “arbitrary and capricious." However, the case is no longer active and Pantaleo no longer in active service.
Consequences after records go public
Pantaleo's tale doesn't end there. In June 2020, the state repealed a law that shielded police disciplinary records from being viewed by the public. Immediately, Pantaleo's records found their way to the press. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) found 17 cases of misconduct were filed against Pantaleo, leading to seven investigations since 2009. The records show the lax approach of the NYPD to disciplinary action. Of the seven investigations, the most serious consequence Pantaleo faced was forfeiting two vacation days. It was only the eighth case, the incident with Garner, that lead to serious action being taken.
The lack of consequences for Pantaleo is a familiar tale. All over America, police officers are rarely charged or even dismissed for their actions in the line of duty, despite those actions leading to death on multiple occasions. The Justice Department under Biden could still attempt to pursue charges against Pantaleo, but neither Biden or Attorney General Merrick Garland has mentioned doing so. Former AG William Barr refused to do so. Like so many other officers, Pantaleo has slipped through the cracks after being fired. No consequences, despite his history.
Since the high-profile firing, Pantaleo has not been seen or heard from. It is unclear where he is today. There is no record of him on social media or anywhere else in the public. It is likely he could have moved to serve with a smaller force somewhere else in the US. He could also be pursuing alternative employment since he does not have a criminal record. There is no way to confirm what has become of Pantaleo since, but he is not likely to be in any serious trouble despite his actions.