Family Sues NYPD After Man Dies in Scuffle Over Open Beer Can
Lawsuit alleges excessive force in the death of Shelton Ennis during a confrontation initiated by a probationary officer.
The family of Shelton Ennis, who died on June 26, 2025, following a scuffle with NYPD officers that began over an open beer can, has filed a lawsuit alleging excessive deadly force. Ennis, 54, was on parole at the time of the incident.
According to court documents and body-worn camera footage, probationary Officer Karl Yelenic and Officer Marc Leandre approached Ennis near Riverside Drive and West 136th Street. Ennis was leaning against a stone wall in the vicinity of Riverside Park, holding a plastic bag. The interaction escalated when Officer Leandre questioned Ennis about discarding a beer can.
When asked for identification, Ennis stated he had it at his nearby apartment and expressed a desire to relax before his upcoming work shift. He identified himself as Cedrick Ennis, a false name according to the attorney general's report. Ennis repeatedly told the officers he would provide identification if they accompanied him to his apartment, but the officers stated they would take him to the precinct.
Ennis then began to run between the officers. Yelenic pursued Ennis and tackled him to the ground from behind. After Yelenic stood up, footage showed Ennis lying unresponsive on the ground. The lawsuit states that Officer Leandre proceeded to handcuff Ennis behind his back without rendering immediate aid.
An ambulance was called, and medical records indicate Ennis lost his pulse en route to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be hemopericardium due to blunt impact to the chest, ruling the death a homicide. The attorney general's office investigated the incident and concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove Yelenic's force was unlawful, noting no intent to cause injury or criminal recklessness. The investigation is ongoing.
Despite the attorney general's findings, the lawsuit filed by Ennis's family alleges civil-rights violations, including excessive force, negligence, and an unlawful stop, against the city and the involved officers.