Who was Daniel T Prude? Here's how the unarmed, naked Black man was killed by Rochester police
On March 30, 2020, Daniel Prude lost his life, seven days after his encounter with the Rochester police, as he was removed from life support. The horrifying video of his torture was released on September 2, 2020, by his family and local activists.
Who was Daniel Prude?
Daniel T Prude was a 41-year-old man who died in March after he was forcibly restrained by the Rochester policemen on March 23, 2020. Prude suffered from acute mental health issues due to which he started acting erratically, including jumping headfirst down a flight of stairs. His brother, Joe Prude, then dialed emergency services for help. Daniel received a mental health evaluation at Strong Memorial Hospital and was released that night. Later, on the same night, he ran on the streets, when the police detained him. Police put a spit hood on his head for several minutes while he was lying naked on the pavement. He lost consciousness after officers cut off his breathing and was transported to the hospital, where he died after a week.
Prude who was naked was halted by a police officer at 3:16 am on Jefferson Avenue. He was ordered to lay on the ground and put his hands behind his back. Prude complied and was handcuffed as he rolled onto his stomach. Prude remained handcuffed as officers attempted to make a mental-health arrest. He was agitated and spitting in some instances. Officers covered his head with a white "spit hood," meant to protect police from body fluids. Later, the officer noticed that Prude was throwing up water onto the street after which a paramedic was called and he was taken to the hospital.
Justice for Daniel Prude
Now, the family is seeking help in this time of crisis through a GoFundMe fundraiser, titled, Justice for Daniel Prude. Describing the horrific incident, the fundraiser reveals, "While cuffed, naked, and laying on the freezing cold ground, RPD officers mocked Daniel Prude and cracked jokes, and put a bag over his head. RPD officers Mark Vaughn, Troy Talladay, and Fransisco Santiago then proceeded to swarm him. While Talladay forced his knee into Daniel’s back and Santiago held down his legs, Vaughn pushed Daniel’s head into the ground using all of his body weight -- essentially doing a triangle pushup on his head. Less than ten minutes after he was cuffed, Daniel Prude breathed his last conscious breath." The message added, "Please donate to support Daniel's family in this time of crisis."
The fundraiser has raised $11,541 of the $1,000,000 goal when this article was last updated. Several people who donated for the cause commented on the page, saying, "Body cams don’t even phase them! This is how broken and demented the system is. It’s rigged against us all; Especially the most vulnerable in society! What kind of world is that? Not one I wish to live in. Rest in eternity Light Daniel Prude," and "No one should have their loved one killed by the people they call to help them."