3 NYC corrections officers suspended following death at Rikers Island
NEW YORK (AP) — Three corrections officers have been suspended following the death of a man incarcerated at New York City’s troubled Rikers Island, jail officials said.
Officers found Ardit Billa, 29, unresponsive in his cell at around 12:25 a.m. on Saturday, said Patrick Rocchio, a city Department of Correction spokesperson. The department didn’t provide further details other than to say the two officers rendered aid until medical personnel arrived. Billa was pronounced dead shortly after.
Rocchio said the department notified the jail’s court-appointed federal monitor, as well as other state and city agencies.