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Family of Brooklyn man who died in NYPD custody asks judge for precinct video
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 9, 2026
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Courtesy of the Newkirk family
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 9, 2026
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The family of a Brooklyn man who died in NYPD custody over the weekend is asking a judge to order the city to turn over video and records from the roughly day and a half he spent in police hands, a stretch that included two trips to the hospital, records show.
Reginald Newkirk, 54, was arrested on Oct. 2 for drug possession in East Flatbush, according to a police timeline. NYPD officials said he showed withdrawal symptoms the following Saturday morning and was taken to SUNY Downstate for medical attention.
Police said the hospital discharged him and he returned to the NYPD’s 67th Precinct. About three hours later, officers called EMS for a “sick” prisoner, according to the NYPD. Newkirk was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Sunday.
“He passed away in police custody, and we don't understand why,” said his brother, Bruce Newkirk. “We would like justice and we would like information.”
Bruce Newkirk filed a petition in Brooklyn state Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking information as the family investigates the circumstances of his brother’s death. The petition asks the court to order the city and NYPD to turn over the names of officers who interacted with Newkirk, along with body camera and precinct surveillance footage. It also seeks to preserve other records and evidence as the family considers a wrongful-death claim.
“He was well enough to be discharged, but he wasn't well enough to survive the night,” said Marc Battipaglia, a lawyer for the family.
Relatives described Newkirk as kind-hearted and a regular at family barbecues and holidays at a cousin’s house on Staten Island.
“Every time I’d seen him, he was in good spirits,” said his daughter, Jadasia Hughes. “He was always joking around. He wanted to take me places.”
Bruce Newkirk said a doctor at Kings County told the family that blood work showed heroin in his brother’s system. He said the family was surprised because they did not know Newkirk used heroin. Gothamist could not independently verify what the family was told.
The NYPD declined to comment beyond information it previously provided about Newkirk’s time in custody. The department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating his death.
A spokesperson for SUNY Downstate declined to comment.
The city's chief medical examiner has not yet determined Newkirk’s cause or manner of death.
Newkirk is at least the sixth person this year to die after a medical emergency in NYPD custody. In April, Zamiqua Miller, 33, died at Brooklyn Central Booking after police said she was twice taken to hospitals for withdrawal symptoms and discharged back to police custody. The medical examiner later attributed her death to acute intoxication from a combination of fentanyl, methadone, cocaine and another substance.
The medical examiner has ruled three NYPD custody deaths this year accidents, with acute drug intoxication listed among the causes in each case.
Tagged
brooklyn
new york city
public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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