Chaos breaks out at rally for New Jersey man who died after asking police for water
PATERSON, N.J. - Police in Paterson maced protesters at a rally for 27-year-old Jameek Lowery, who died less than 48 hours after asking police for help and water, according to WPIX.
Video was posted showing 27-year-old Jameek Lowery as he walked into Paterson Police Headquarters Saturday morning, sweating profusely, foaming at the mouth and at times incoherent, asking for help and for water.
In the video, Lowery asks for water multiple times, but officers say, "We're not allowed to."
"He asked for water. They deny him water. Why couldn't you give him water? Why didn't they help him?" said his mother, Patrice King. "All I wanna know is why you didn't help my son."
On Tuesday, what began as an organized rally for Lowery outside Paterson City Hall quickly erupted into chaos.
"We don't mind if people demonstrate, as long as it's peaceful," Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said.
But as the crowds got out of control, many of the protesters were maced by police.
The crowd said they just want justice for Lowery who they believe could have been saved if police officers would have given him water.
Police sources said the officers followed protocol saying they are not supposed to give water because, according to them, it may harm the individual. But the family said the officers' response was inadequate.
"We want to know what happened to him from the complex back to the ER," said Lowery's brother Jamir King. "We want to know a lot of things. We want justice."
According to authorities, the Paterson Fire Department first responded to a 911 call from Lowery at 2:47 a.m. requesting an ambulance for himself at 135 Godwin Ave.
The ambulance arrived at 2:57 a.m. to transport Lowery to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. Less than an hour later, at 3:44 a.m., Lowery called 911 again from the Wendy’s Restaurant on Broadway.
He then walked to the Paterson Police Headquarters at 111 Broadway and requested assistance, including water. Police said they were not allowed to give him water and called for an ambulance at 3:47 a.m.
Lowery was transported again to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he died within 48 hours. Results of toxicology and autopsy reports are pending.
A late Tuesday afternoon news release from Passaic County Prosecutors office reads in part:
“Per initial reports and information, police used physical force and compliance holds to secure Mr. Lowery in the ambulance. Hospital records indicate no acute trauma…the transportation from headquarters to the hospital took approximately five to twelve minutes. Upon arrival at the hospital, Mr. Lowery was unresponsive.”
"There's gonna be justice coming," King said. "I'm gonna get justice before I leave this world. If it kills me, I'm gonna get justice."
The officers in the video have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.