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Man died in NYPD custody at Brooklyn criminal courthouse, police say
By
Paige Oamek
Published Aug 30, 2025
Modified Aug 30, 2025
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By
Paige Oamek
Published Aug 30, 2025
Modified Aug 30, 2025
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A man died inside a holding cell at the Kings County Criminal Court Friday night, officials said.
Police said they found the 46-year-old unconscious and unresponsive at around 10:15 p.m. Emergency services responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police said they will release the identity of the man once the family has been properly notified.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause of death and the NYPD's Force Investigation Division will investigate the incident as the man was in police custody.
Ardit Billa, 29, was found unresponsive in his cell at Rikers Island last week. Three Department of Correction staffers were subsequently suspended over the incident and an investigation is ongoing.
This is the second death in police custody this year at 120 Schermerhorn Street — the first was 32-year-old Soso Ramishvili of Brooklyn who died in March. Ramishvili died in a holding cell after reportedly being detained for three days for a shoplifting arrest.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the number of people who died in city custody.
Tagged
Rikers Island
brooklyn
nypd
public safety
Paige Oamek
Paige Oamek is a reporter on Gothamist & WNYC's day-of general assignment desk.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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