According to reports, authorities were called to the residence on Sunday night after being notified about a man with a firearm.
The NY Post that broke the news, refers to an NYPD spokesperson’s statement on officers finding Mr Zapantis in the basement of the residence holding a samurai sword.
After failing to act on police orders to drop it, he was “subdued” after being tasered.
Highlights
- A 30-year-old Greek-American suffered a fatal medical incident following his arrest by police who entered his home over reports of a man with a firearm.
- A police spokesperson said the man was tasered after seen approaching officers with a sword.
- Statements made by witnesses and the family’s attorney suggest that excessive police force was used.
“He approached the officers with the sword, they deployed their tasers,” the spokesperson reportedly said.
Following his arrest, Mr Zapantis appeared to go into cardiac arrest and was taken to to the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The news on the incident have been widely circulated, with recent NY media reports presenting witness accounts including short videos filmed by a neighbour or Mr Zapantis’ showing the man being unarmed during his arrest by police.
NY Post’s early report also included a comment by the Zapantis’ family attorney, George Vomvolakis, noting that the 30-year-old Greek American had mental health issues.
Mr Vomvolakis spoke of a potential “incident of excessive force by police officers” and said that while Mr Zapantis appeared to resist arrest and not cooperate, he was unarmed.
Speaking to media, the Greek American’s mother, Athanasia Zapanti, claimed that the neighbor who reported her son to the police was continuously harassing him and stated frustrated that police did not call for a social worker to intervene during his turbulent arrest.
“He died for no reason,” Ms Zapanti said, adding that the family is waiting the results of an independent autopsy on Mr Zapantis’ death.
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