Rikers Inmate Dies In First NYC Jail Death Of 2024

NEW YORK CITY — A Rikers Island inmate who collapsed while playing basketball became 2024's first death in the city's jail system, officials said.

Chima Williams, 43, was pronounced dead Thursday morning, authorities said.

"On behalf of the New York City Department of Correction, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Williams' loved ones," said DOC Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, in a statement.

"We are conducting a full investigation into this tragic event."

Williams had been playing basketball for about an hour with other detainees in Rikers' Eric M. Taylor Center when he collapsed about 9:45 a.m., officials said.

He received immediate medical care, but doctors pronounced him dead, officials said.

Williams is the 29th death of a person behind bars in the city's jail system since Mayor Eric Adams took office.

Advocates with Freedom Agenda quickly responded to the death, noting it was just four days in the new year. They argued it showed the need to close Rikers.

"This shameful tragedy makes the stakes even more clear – we need to stop sending people to Rikers to die right now," said Darren Mack, co-director for Freedom Agenda, in a statement. "We need the Mayor to make real, substantial investments in housing, mental health treatment, and other services to support people in our communities."