Was Man Shot by New Rochelle Police Suffering from Drug-Induced Hyperthermia?
A detailed review of government records suggests Jarrell R. Garris was having a PCP-induced psychotic episode on the afternoon of July 3rd.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 22, 2023) — Anyone who has the stomach for it to can see what happened this past July 3rd during an encounter between Jarrell Garris and three New Rochelle Police officer including the gruesome moment when Detective Steven Conn put the muzzle of his service weapon against the 38-year-old man’s neck and pulled the trigger.
But what led up to that moment? What was going on with Jarrell Garris that summer afternoon?
In the days after the shooting, the Garris family and their attorney, William Wagstaff, and their spokesperson, Rev. Kevin McCall, put out a narrative that Garris was doing well, managing his schizophrenia by taking his medication, living with his sister in North Carolina where he had a job and a girlfriend. The family said Garris was visiting New Rochelle to pick up his 11-year-old son from the boy’s mother’s house and take him back to Greensboro the evening of the shooting.
He may have been doing well after the “geographic cure” of moving out of New Rochelle. But what happened when Garris returned to his old stomping grounds without a job to be at, a sister to keep an eye on him, a girlfriend who cared for him and a network of friends who could readily point him in the direction of his drug of choice, PCP?
Much of the family’s narrative was reported uncritically, without challenge or even rudimentary fact-checking by local media, most notably the Journal News / USA TODAY and The New York Times.
Another side to their narrative was that in the past Steven Conn had escalated an encounter with a bus driver to violence and unnecessarily shot a dog. They claimed the shooting of Garris was because Garris ate a banana and grapes at a nearby grocery store.
"If you had the opportunity to meet my son, you would love him," said Garris' father Raymond Fowler, 58, outside St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church, just feet from where police shot Garris in the street on Lincoln Avenue. "To know my son is to love him."
Fowler said his son struggled with mental health, including schizophrenia, and had been contacted by New Rochelle police before for wellness checks.
“My thing is they knew who he was, and then they know me as well,” Fowler previously told USA TODAY Network New York. “There’s no justification.”
When Det. Keith Olson. President of the Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester and the Yonkers PBA put out a statement detailing some of Garris’ medical, psychological and criminal history, Wagtaff accused Olson of “blatant character assassination”, arguing that Garris’ criminal record and personal history is “legally irrelevant to the fundamental question of was the shooting legally justified.”
Evidence gathered by Talk of the Sound suggests that Jarrell R. Garris, born on December 12, 1985, may have been experiencing hyperthermia on the afternoon of July 3, 2023.
His body may have been overheated as a result of two factors: walking around in the sun without a hat or head covering on a hot summer day and drug-induced hyperthermia.
As for being shot because he ate a banana and some grapes, it appears far more likely Garris was shot because he once again violently resisted arrest, injuring officers, this time grabbing the holster of an officer’s gun, all while high on PCP, having just committed a string of crimes including entering a woman’s apartment at Heritage Homes, stealing from her, firestarting outside a home on Winthrop Avenue with the family still inside, and, finally, the theft of water bottles and strawberries (not a banana or grapes) from a grocery store on North Avenue.
Garris had a history of these same behaviors in New Rochelle and Mount Vernon, often in the context of psychotic episodes after going off his medication and ingesting PCP.
Garris is listed in government records as between 6’ 0” and 6’ 1”, with a large build, weighing between 200 and 220 pounds. In one incident it required 8 police officers to restrain Garris so he could be handcuffed.
Our research includes reviewing hundreds of police records, court records, news accounts, statements from law enforcement, the Garris family, their attorney and other records and interviews, many obtained under Freedom of Information requests to the New Rochelle Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Westchester County District Attorney, New York State Police, New York State Office of the Attorney General, and New Rochelle Muncipal Housing Authority going back to 2007.
There are still more records currently under seal. Since July 11, when the Office of Attorney General took over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Jarrell Garris, no further records have been made available by the New Rochelle Police Department, with all inquiries directed to the OAG. Those withheld records include past incidents involving Steven Conn and Jarrell Garris.
On July 3, 2023, between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Jerrell Garris made a partially completed “loop” or “figure 8” in the neighborhood where he grew up and lived for many years, from Horton Avenue and Brook Street into Heritage Homes to Winthrop Avenue then up Winthrop Avenue to North Avenue to Lincoln Avenue and was heading back in the direction of Brook Street when he was stopped by police. At stops along this loop, from a residence at Heritage Homes to a house next to KFC to reportedly one other location on North Avenue then New Rochelle Farms, he went indoors, getting out of the sun and into air conditioning, he drank multiple bottles of water, he ate fruit with very high water content (strawberries), all indications that he was attempting to regulate his body temperature because he was overheated and dehydrated.
It appears likely Garris was in medical distress that afternoon and, in his drug-addled mind, not so much stealing fruit or water at New Rochelle Farms but coping with hyperthermia while having a drug-induced psychotic episode by cooling himself off and hydrating himself without concern or awareness of the people around him.
Based on our reporting, we fully expect the Office of Attorney General will ultimately release a toxicology report that will indicate the presence of Phencyclidine (or phenylcyclohexyl piperidine, PCP) in Jerrell Garris’ system that day.
To understand what happened with Jarrell Garris on July 3rd, it is important to understand that PCP can induce symptoms that are almost indistinguishable from those associated with schizophrenia.
Police and court records indicate Garris had a long history of schizophrenia, not taking his prescribed antipsychotic medication used in the treatment of schizophrenia, and ingesting PCP, resulting in police encounters ending in violence, arrests, incarceration and commitment to drug rehabs and psychiatric wards.
PCP, also known as angel dust or horse tranquilizer, is used recreationally for its ability to induce a dissociative state; it may cause hallucinations, distorted perceptions of sounds, and violent, unpredictable behavior. PCP may cause some individuals to become detached from reality or animated and may induce feelings of strength, power, and invulnerability as well as a numbing effect on the mind. PCP may occasionally appear to induce a psychotic state, with emotional and cognitive impairment that resembles a schizophrenic episode. Other commonly cited types of incidents include inflicting property damage and self-mutilation.
Garris’ criminal history includes incidents of violence against police officers and corrections officers.
Garris was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer after he flailed his arms about, twisting, striking an officer and injuring him, as several officers attempted to handcuff Garris after he was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct.
A woman came home to her apartment to find Garris in her home, in her bed, under the blanket, wearing her clothes.
Police found Garris on the street with his pants down around his ankles.
Two days before he was shot in New Rochelle, police found Garris on the street covered in blood, having self-mutilated his arms by slashing them with an edged-instrument. The injuries are clearly visible in NRPD body cam video taken moments before Garris was shot.
In other incidents, he spit on officers, telling them they now had AIDS, smashed up a computer, crashed through a glass door to escape commitment to a psychiatric ward then repeatedly bit a hospital security officer’s arms, and, while incarcerated, shoved clothing down toilets causing them to flood, smeared his feces on walls, spit on an officer and spit toilet water at an officer.
PCP is widely considered one of the most dangerous illicit drugs and can lead to mind-altering experiences that may include:
A feeling of detachment or “floating”
Numbness, blank stare
Slurred speech
Loss of coordination
A feeling of “superpower” strength with little fear
Rapid walking or excited talking
Feeling a short-lived “rush” of intense pleasure
Hearing or seeing things that are not there
Mood disorders such as anxiety, paranoia, hostility, violence, and a psychotic episode.
The NIH describes the adverse effects of Phencyclidine Intoxication:
Violent behavior
Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement),
Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
Hypertension (elevated blood pressure),
Anesthesia (loss of sensation or awareness)
Analgesia (changing the brain’s perception of pain)
Slurred speech
Blank staring
Ataxia (lack of muscle control)
Seizures
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia occurs when body temperature is elevated beyond normal due to failed thermoregulation. An elevated body temperature can occur in a hot, humid environment (heat stroke) or in someone taking a drug for which hyperthermia is a known side effect, such as PCP (drug-induced hyperthermia). Symptoms may include diaphoresis (heavy sweating and perspiration) and accompanying dehydration as the body tries to regulate body temperature.
Hyperthemia caused by exertion on a hot day may be adequately treated through increased water consumption and resting in a cool place.
Hyperthermia that results from drug exposure requires prompt cessation of that drug.
Passive cooling techniques include resting in a cool, shady area and removing clothing. Active cooling methods, such as sponging the head, neck, and trunk with cool water, to remove heat from the body.
It is also important to an understanding of Jarrell Garris to know the likelihood of an arson offender having schizophrenia is 20 times greater than that in the general population. The NIH states, “Firesetting is a behavior, arson is a crime, and pyromania is a psychiatric diagnosis.
Arson is a criminal act in which a person or group of persons willing fully and maliciously sets fire or aid in firesetting to cause harm to property, people, and infrastructure.”
Garris has an extensive history of firesetting — often involving trash receptacles, and is believed to have started a fire in a garbage can moments before he was stopped by police on July 3rd.
Two days before Garris was shot, on July 1, 2023, at about 12:47 p.m. Mount Vernon police responded to the bus stop at South 5th Avenue and 2nd Street for a report of a man bleeding. On arrival, officers observed a male with blood stains on his shirt and lacerations and blood on his forearms. The male, identified as Jarrell Garris, was secured in handcuffs then transported by ambulance to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital. Garris was turned over to hospital staff and psychologically screened. Garris stated he had "smoked dust and was freaking out." Due to Garris’ demeanor and the nature of the wounds, police concluded the wounds were self-inflicted.
Janice Garris, the mother of Jarrell Garris, resides in an apartment at Levister Towers at 240 South 7th Avenue, a short distance from the bus stop at South 5th Avenue and 2nd Street.
LoHud placed Garris in New Rochelle on July 1st.
On Saturday, two days before the shooting, Garris knocked on the window of Ivin Harper's new black Cadillac Escalade to compliment him on his truck. Harper, 44, grew up with Garris' family and went to school with Garris.
Harper did not provide a time or place when Garris knocked on his SUV window in New Rochelle but by lunchtime Garris had ingested PCP and was in Mount Vernon slicing up his arms at a bus stop. There are no public schools in New Rochelle where students are typically six years apart (Harper said he was 44, Garris was 38).
It appears likely that Garris obtained PCP in New Rochelle, ingested the PCP and freaked out in Mount Vernon.
A timeline of Garris’s movements before he was shot, reported by Eduardo Cuevas of the USA TODAY network, and Tony Aiello of WCBS News, fills in information currently being withheld by the Office of Attorney General.
Cuevas placed Garris at Brook Street and Horton Avenue at about 3:30 p.m.
On Monday, Robin Cowart, 59, saw Garris about an hour before the police shooting on Horton Avenue, just blocks away from the scene. He was alright, she said, laughing with old friends, before he left down toward Lincoln Avenue.
On July 3, 2023, at about 4:00 p.m., Aiello placed Garris in the Heritage Homes housing complex. Garris reportedly opened an unlocked, closed door and entered a private residence on Winthrop Avenue, where he remained without permission. A female resident was home at the time. She told police Garris never said a word, describing him as "spaced out' and "giving me a crazy stare." She said Garris stole a bottle of water then walked out of her residence, walking East Bound on Winthrop Avenue.
Given these competing descriptions. it appears that Garris was not under the influence of PCP at 3:30 p.m. but was under the influence of PCP by 4:00 p.m.. Horton and Brook is a notorious location for drug dealing. Garris was known to deal drugs at the same corner. If Garris had ingested PCP, it appears likely that he obtained the PCP at Horton and Brook between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. before entering a home on Winthrop.
It is difficult to imagine that using PCP in the late afternoon is conducive to taking a child on a trip to North Carolina in the evening.
Moments later, at about 4:18 p.m., Garris was observed on CCTV video taken from the KFC restaurant at 490 North Avenue, directly across from New Rochelle Police Headquarters at 475 North Avenue. Garris is seen on the KFC security video exiting the driveway of the neighboring house on Winthrop Avenue, a house next to the KFC, where a fire was started in a trash can in front of the house. A few moments after Garris left the area, smoke is visible in the video.
Moments after that, Garris reportedly entered a store on North Avenue and requested a bottle of water from the owner. He was given a bottle of water and exited the store, heading South Bound on North Avenue.
At about 4:28 p.m. Garris entered the New Rochelle Farms grocery store at 465 North Avenue. He was observed on CCTV video near the store entrance tearing open what appears to be a sealed 24-pack of .5 liter Poland Spring water bottles, opening one of the bottles and drinking from the bottle. He is then observed next to the check-out area drinking from a second bottle, what appears to be a 1 liter bottle of chilled water, likely taken from a glass-enclosed refrigerator next to the check-out area. He is then observed in the produce area eating strawberries from what appears to a one-quart plastic container.
There is no indication that Garris ate grapes or bananas, as stated by the Garris family after the shooting.
When Garris left the store without paying, the store owner called the NRPD non-emergency number to report the theft.
New Rochelle Police officers responded to the call and located Garris not far away, in front of the Catherine AME Zion Church at 19 Lincoln Avenue, where the fatal encountered occurred.
In still images taken from the CCTV video at New Rochelle Farms, light is reflecting off the side of Garris’s head and face, suggesting he was perspiring profusely (diaphoretic). Past police reports where Garris has ingested PCP describe him as diaphoretic.
In short, Garris, a known PCP user who had been admitted to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital two days prior after telling Mount Vernon police he had “smoked dust” and was “freaking out.” was then walking around New Rochelle in a dissociative state described as “spaced out' (anesthesia) and having “a crazy stare” (blank staring, nystagmus) on a hot summer day drinking water and eating high-water content fruit.
While completing the loop between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Garris went inside an apartment and one or two stores, out of the sun and into air conditioning, consuming 3 or 4 bottles of water as well as a container of high-water content fruit, before encountering police at 19 Lincoln Avenue.
On the day of the shooting, Garris was on felony probation for Attempted Arson — 3 and Trespass, a violation, following his arrest for setting fire to a trash chute in a Municipal Housing Residence in New Rochelle. Garris was sentenced to probationary supervision for five years on November 9, 2022, with his probation supervision transferred to North Carolina. On the date of his death, he was an absconder from North Carolina, and was not authorized to be in New York.
His November 9, 2022, plea to Attempted Arson — 3 covered a number of local charges in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle as well, including a second allegation of Attempted Arson — 5.
On October 20, 2021, at approximately 1:01 a.m., Garris intentionally started a fire in the garbage can of the bathroom at New Rochelle Deli & Grocery located at 476 Main Street. The fire filled the deli with smoke and caused damage to the floor and walls of the deli bathroom in the amount of $5,000 dollars.
According to the deli owner, Jarrell Garris was a regular customer at his store. Garris went into the bathroom, then came out with a lit cigarette. The store owner told him to leave and kicked him out of the store. The owner then noticed smoke throughout the store. In the bathroom, the owner saw a plastic garbage bin in flames. CCTV video captured Jarrell Garris on video walking in, then out, of the bathroom shortly before the fire began.
Garris was subsequently arrested and charged with Arson — 5 and Criminal Mischief — 4.
On October 20, 2021, following his arrest on the arson charge, Garris stuffed his clothing down the toilet of his jail cell at New Rochelle Police Department Headquarters at 475 North Avenue, causing the toilet to flood the area throughout the cells. He smeared his own feces on the wall of the cell.
On October 20, 2021, Jarrell Garris was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court on 2 Misdemeanor Counts of Disorderly Conduct (Hazardous Offensive Condition).
Housing Authority Banned List
On January 21, 2015, in a letter from the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority, Garris was advised he had been added to the Banned List for their properties. The street address is for his mother’s apartment at Levistar Towers in Mount Vernon but with the city as New Rochelle and zip code as 10801.
On April 24, 2015, the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority updated their Banned List to include Jerrell Garris.
On April 24, 2015, the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority served notice to the New Rochelle Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office that Jarrell Garris had been added to the Banned List for their properties.
On May 27, 2015 at about 12:25 p.m., a New Rochelle Police officer, while on patrol observed a male black wearing a white t-shirt, black sweatpants and black and white sneakers, known to be Jerrell Garris standing in the parking lot of the Hartley Houses talking on his cell phone. The officer knew Garris was on the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority Banned List and that he was trespassing on the property where "No Trespassing" signs were conspicuously posted in the area. Garris left the property and started walking South Bound on Brook Street. The officer stopped Garris on Brook Street, just opposite of 51 Winthrop Avenue. Garris was advised he was under arrest for trespassing.
On scene, Garris stated "I forgot I was on the banned list."
Garris was transported to police headquarters and charged with 2 counts of Criminal Trespass — 3, a B Misdemeanor.
On July 22, 2015, at about 8:08 p.m., a New Rochelle Police officer, while on patrol, observed Jarrell Garris walking East Bound through the Hartley House property, near the courtyard of 51 Winthrop Avenue. The officer knew Garris was on the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority banned list. The officer stopped Garris as he was exiting the Hartley Houses and stepping onto Brook Street.
Garris was holding a clear plastic cup with a clear liquid inside. While speaking with him, as another officer arrived on scene, Garris stated "Cmon yo, give me a break on the trespass just give me a beer ticket'. Garris stated that he was drinking vodka. Garris was placed under arrest. The cup was inspected by an officer and determined that the contents were alcoholic.
Garris was transported to police headquarters and charged with Criminal Trespass – 3 (Public Housing Violation of Posted Rules), a B Misdemeanor.
On November 2, 2021, at about 7:00 p.m. Jarrell Garris entered the premises of 361 Main Street in New Rochelle, a public housing project, in violation of conspicuously posted rules or regulations governing entry and use when he entered the apartment building at 361 Main Street in violation of the 2015 order banning him from the premises.
Garris ripped up pieces of paper and set them on fire using a lighter, then placed them into the area of a garbage chute, causing fire and smoke to spread throughout the chute into the apartment building, damaging the building and creating a grave risk of death to the residents.
The fire only stopped when residents poured water down the garbage chute.
Garris was arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment —1st, a D Felony, Attempted Arson — 3rd, a C Felony, and Criminal Trespass—3rd, a Misdemeanor, based on a complaint filed by Angela Davis Farrish.
Farrish is both the Executive Director of the New Rochelle Muncipal Housing Authority and Chair of the New Rochelle African-American Advisory Committee.
As NRMHA Director in 2021, Farrish told the NRMHA Board that Garris threatened the lives of NRMHA residents, exhibited threatening behavior while displaying extreme visible signs of mental illness and attacked several residents with a sharp instrument such as knife or razor blade.
As AAAC Chair in 2023, Farrish issued a statement that she was “stunned and amazed” to hear of the incident on July 3rd.
On November 4, 2021, at approximately 2:20 a.m, two days after he was charged with the Bracey arson, and while being treated at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital at 16 Guion PIace, and after being ordered to remain seated, Garris spat on two police officers and said, "you have AIDS now". Garris began spitting on the glass and the floor of the location, then grabbed a bottle of iodine from a cabinet and began spraying it around the room. The iodine struck another New Rochelle Police officer’s clothing, uniform vest, and pants. Garris proceeded to push a Dell computer off a table and began rummaging through cabinets, throwing sharps containers onto the floor, causing damage exceeding $1,500. As eight police officers attempted to restrain Garris, he spat on them after claiming he had AIDS and COVID-19.
Garris was charged with a 20 count Felony complaint including 8 counts of Endangerment — 2nd, an A Misdemeanor, Criminal Mischief — 2nd, a D Felony, Criminal Mischief — 3rd, an E Felony, 8 counts of Harassment – 2nd, a violation, one count of Obstruct Governmental Administration — 2nd, an A Misdemeanor and Tampering — 3rd, an A Misdemeanor.
On November 4, 2021, at approximately 1:35 p.m., after the Montefiore incident, at New Rochelle Police Department Headquarters at 475 North Avenue, Garris stuffed a t-shirt, toilet paper, and various food wrappers into the toilet in his cell, causing the toilet to become clogged and flood his cell, with the water flooding another cell in the block as well as leaking into the gym on the floor below.
Garris was charged with Criminal Mischief — 4th, an A Misdemeanor.
On November 8, 2021, the New Rochelle Muncipal Housing Authority Board met and discussed Recent Violence/Fire at Bracey Apartments involving Jerrell Garris.
The Board Minutes say the NRMHA has been working with the New Rochelle Police Department to make sure the individual does not continue to threaten the lives of the residents at Bracey Apartments in connection with the fire. A week ago, the individual tried to set the compactor on fire in one of the buildings on the Bracey site. This individual, as reported by residents, appeared to be threatening in behavior while displaying extreme visible signs of mental illness concerns in connection with the fire. It was also reported, by residents, that this individual may have attacked several people with a sharp instrument such as knife or razor blade in the past.
On February 14, 2022, the New Rochelle Muncipal Housing Authority Board met and discussed updating the Banned List. Farrish told the Board she had conversations with residents and the police. She stated many persons on the current Banned List were either deceased or have not engaged in any anti-socialist behaviors recently. Based upon these conversations, she announced the NRMHA would revise the current Banned List.
Garris subsequently moved to North Carolina for several months where he lived with his sister.
As of May 31, 2023, Jerrell Garris had been removed from the NRMHA Banned List.
Within days, Jarrell Garris, posting under “CeeTwo”, made several threatening Instagram Posts leading up to the officer-involved shooting on July 3rd.
Jarrell Garris had a lengthy criminal past and a history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia. Garris had numerous admissions to Montefiore for PCP use.
On June 7, 2020, at about 4:03 a.m., Mount Vernon police officers responded to the home of Janice Garris at Levister Tower at 240 South Avenue. The officers were told there were commitment papers for her son, Jarrell Garris. Officers then spoke with Janice Garris and requested she come with them to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital. She was cooperative and transported by an Empress ambulance to the hospital.
The receptionist at Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital stated that the commitment form was not filled out properly as although there was a doctors' signature there was no doctor's name printed on top for the doctor, the form was for Jarrell Garris whose whereabouts were unknown, there was no address or date of birth for Jarrell Garris
Janice Garris stated she had not had contact with her son since he previously escaped from the hospital. She said she would notify the police if her son contacted her. She was then transported back to 240 South 7th Avenue.
On May 27, 2020, at about 6:23 p.m, Mount Vernon police officers responded to the area of South 5th Avenue and West 1st Street on a report of a male acting erratically with his pants around his ankles. Jarrell Garris was observed to be diaphoretic and verbally unresponsive. Police knew Jarrell Garris had an extensive psychiatric history and occasionally uses phencyclidine and marijuana. Garris was transported to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital by Empress ambulance, accompanied by one of the officers. During the ride to the hospital, Garris admitted to smoking "dust". Garris was turned over to hospital staff for further care and evaluation.
On May 13, 2020, a woman called Mount Vernon police stating that Jarrell Garris needed to be taken into custody and transported to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital. Commitment papers were turned over.
In 2019, according to WCBS News, Garris was "discharged from a (mental health and substance abuse) program due to … threatening behavior to other participants," and he "is not taking (anti-psychotic) medication daily as prescribed."
On September 20, 2019, at about 6:16 p.m. Mount Vernon police officers responded to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital on a report of a past assault. Jarrell Garris stated that he was assaulted by an unknown party at South 9th Avenue and West 3rd Street. Garris stated he was unable to recall the events leading up to or directly after the assault.
On July 6, 2019, Ruben Flores was driving a 2004 Toyota SUV traveling West Bound on East 1st Street. Jarrell Garris was crossing the street from the East Bound side to the West Bound side in front of 20 East 1st Street. The vehicle collided with Garris in front of 20 East 1st Street.
On June 11, 2019, at about 6:58 p.m., New Rochelle Police officers responded to Horton Avenue and Brook Street in regard to a larceny of a motor vehicle. The vehicle owner stated that he parked his vehicle with no passengers in front of 50 Horton Avenue with the ignition on and proceeded to entered the bodega at 52 Horton Avenue. After exiting the store, five minutes later, he observed his vehicle, driven at a high rate of speed, the wrong way against traffic, East Bound, on Horton Avenue with a late model silver Mercedes-Benz in pursuit. The vehicle owner called 911 and NRPD officers arrived shortly thereafter. The vehicle was an Enterprise rental and he did not observe the suspect operating the vehicle. The vehicle owner stated further his wallet, cell phone and other personal effects were still in the car.
At about 7:03 p.m., two other New Rochelle Police officers responded to Main Street and Webster Avenue in regards to a property damage only motor vehicle accident, hit and run, involving a silver late model Mercedes-Benz. The vehicle owner stated he was driving North Bound on Brook Street, waiting at the red light of Brook Street and Horton Avenue. He stated the light turned green and as he proceeded through, a gray Ford Edge traveling East Bound on Horton Avenue went through the red light and struck his vehicle, He stated the vehicle did not stop and proceeded toward North Avenue and made a right turn going south on North Avenue. He stated he followed the Ford south on North Avenue, west on Huguenot Street, and west on Main Street. He stated when the Ford came to a stop at Main Street and Webster Avenue, a male black, 6 foot tall, mustache, medium build wearing a hat, black shirt and black jeans, later identified as Jerrell Garris, came up to his driver side window and stated, "Yo man, I'm Sorry. Don't call the cops I have no insurance, give me a break." Garris got back in the Ford Edge and drove west on Main Street and got onto I- 95 North so he stopped following him.
The Ford Edge fled onto 1-95. The description given of the operator as a Male/Black in his 20's, approx 6'1, wearing black jeans and black shirt with a NY Yankees hat.
At 7:50 p.m. NRPD got an LPR hit at the Garden Street / North Avenue area. Officers responded to the area to canvass. An officer located the vehicle parked in front of 41 Lockwood Avenue. A man matching the description of the suspect was observed walking along side the vehicle. In an effort to prevent the individual from getting back in the vehicle, responding officer's detained the individual.
A witness positively identified Garris as the operator of the stolen vehicle. Jarrell Garris was taken into custody.
Garris was asked by a police officer why he took the vehicle to which he responded, "I was going through some shit and just didn't care."
A search of Garris produced the ignition key to the vehicle. A search of the vehicle turned up a wallet containing the vehicle owner’s personal effects and an iPhone in the middle console.
Upon entering police headquarters, Garris appeared to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs. He admitted to drinking 2 Corona beers. Garris had slurred speech, delayed responses to basic questions and swayed when attempting to stand. Garris exhibited numerous physiological signs of alcohol/drug use such as glassy eyes, unorganized thoughts and appeared carefree regardless of being under arrest. Garris was lethargic, used profanity, and called responding officers “crackers”.
Garris stated he took a prescribed medication but suffered from no medical problems.
Garris was charged with Grand Larceny — 3, Driving While Under the Influence (Drugs) , a VTL, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle — 3, a VTL, for driving with a suspended license. Garris’ driver’s license was previously suspended on September 4, 2008 for failing to answer two summonses.
On November 11, 2019, at about 5:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Police responded to Levister Tower at 240 South Avenue on a report of an emotionally disturbed male, non-compliant with his medication. Upon arrival, officers encountered Jarrell Garris in the hallway of 240 South Avenue, staring intently at the wall. The officers attempted to interact with Garris to no avail. Janice Garris stated that he usually becomes distant and erratic when he has not received his monthly Haldol shot, and that he also smoked phencyclidine earlier in the day. Jarrell Garris was transported to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital by Empress ambulance with the officers on board, where he was turned over to hospital staff for further care and evaluation.
In 2016, according to WCBS News, a judge ordered him into treatment after a drug conviction.
On November 14, 2015, Jarrell Garris was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Narcotic) with Intent to Sell, a B Felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, an A Misdemeanor.
The case went before a Westchester County Grand Jury and Jerrell Gerris was indicted on 4 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance - 3, a B Felony (selling and possessing with intent to sell, cocaine on June 19 and July 9, 2015) and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance - 7, an A Misdemeanor (possessing cocaine on June 19 and July 9, 2015).
On December 28, 2014, at about 6:58 p.m., a New Rochelle Police officer responded to a report of a criminal trespass at an apartment at 590 Fifth Avenue. A woman stated that when she got home, a male she knew as "C2” later identified as Jarrell Garris, was in her bed under the blanket and wearing her clothes. She said he had no business in her apartment and did not know how he was able to gain entry. She told him several times to get out of the apartment before he left. She told the officer that when Garris left he was not wearing a shirt, he had on gray sweatpants and black sneakers, and appeared to be high on drugs.
Police were told by citizens in the area they reported seeing Garris heading towards the Larchmont border and that he may be at the Larchmont train station. Several officers responded to the train station and located Jarrell Garris in the train station parking lot, where he was subsequently taken into custody. Police returned to 590 Fifth Avenue to do a show-up identification with the complainant. which yielded a positive identification.
Garris was transported to New Rochelle police headquarters and charged with Criminal Trespass – 2, an A Misdemeanor.
On January 6, 2014, at about 8:40 a.m. at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, NY, a Corrections Officer was on suicide watch of inmate Jarrell Garris. Garris was being disruptive. When the officer went to close a slot in his cell door, Garris spit an unknown fluid, possibly containing fluids from the toilet. The officer was transported to Westchester Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
Garris was arrested by the Westchester County Police and charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration – 2, a Class A Misdemeanor.
On January 1, 2014 at about 2:11 a.m, New Rochelle police officers responded to the Lumii Lounge at 51 Horton Avenue on a report of a Criminal Mischief. Upon arrival, officers observed a male/black with no shirt on and a lot of blood on his white pants, later identified as Jarrell Garris, banging on the front windshield of a vehicle. The front windshield to the vehicle was damaged with blood running along the damaged areas. Garris appeared to be heavily intoxicated and was screaming and yelling inaudible words.
As an officer approached Garris he walked toward the front door of 51 Horton Avenue (Lumi's Lounge) and began to bang on the glass.
Based on the officers’ observations of Garris banging on the front damaged window along with the lacerations to his hands which were consistent to the damage to these windows Garris was placed under arrest.
Another officer arrived on scene and Garris was told to get down on the ground, which he did, and placed in handcuffs.
Officers observed Garris had broken the windows of two vehicles. Officers observed blood on both damaged vehicles. One vehicle, a gray 2010 Honda Accord, had a broken windshield and a broken rear drivers side window. Another vehicle, unidentified in the police report, had a broken window.
Multiple witnesses told officers they saw Garris drinking inside of Lumii Lounge and then go outside and break the windows but they wanted to remain anonymous.
Multiple witnesses advised that Garris was the person who damaged the windows to both vehicles at this location. The witnesses were uncooperative and would not provide a written statement.
Garris had multiple laceration on his right hand and wrist. He was transported by ambulance to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital where he was treated, receiving 2 stitches on his right wrist laceration, then released back into police custody.
Garris was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Criminal Mischief — 3, an E Felony
On September 21, 2012, at about 8:35 p.m. Mount Vernon police officers responded to Mount Vernon Police Headquarters for a prisoner swap to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital for evaluation of pain and swelling to his right eye. On September 22, 2012, at about 12:00 a.m. Mount Vernon two other police officers responded to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital to relieve the officers. Jerrell Garris was treated by a doctor then released at 12:09 a.m. then transported back to Mount Vernon Police Headquarters.
On September 12, 2012, at about 4:05 p.m. Jarrell Garris responded to Mount Vernon Police Headquarters and stated, while standing on the corner of 3rd Street & 1st Avenue, he had gotten into a fight with someone named Poppa Loc over money that Garris told police he was owed by Poppa Loc. Garris stated while fighting with Poppa Loc, someone approached him from the side and hit him in the face with a bottle. Garris stated he did not see who hit him with the bottle. After getting hit with the bottle, he went to his grandmother’s house in New Rochelle, then went to Sound Shore Hospital (now New Rochelle Montefiore Hospital) where he told police he was treated for a fracture eyelid. Garris told police he did not to make a report, but after meeting with his probation officer that day, he decided to make a report. Garris told police he was unable to identify the person who hit him with a bottle.
While Garris was making a police report, it was discovered that he had two outstanding warrants out of Mount Vernon City Courts, and the warrants were executed by an MVPD Detective.
On September 5, 2012 at about 8:20 p.m. Mount Vernon police officers responded to Mount Vernon Hospital Emergency Room (now Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital) on a report of an escaped Psychiatric Ward patient. The head of security told officers that Garris ran out of the ER after he was told he was being admitted to the Psychiatric Ward, that as Garris fled intentionally dove through a glass front entrance door to the hospital, shattering the glass of the front door and causing $600 worth of damage. The security officer caught up to Garris in the parking lot and attempted to restrain him. Garris bit him once on the left arm and once on the right arm before the security officer released Garris who ran off.
Garris was subsequently apprehended, charged with Criminal Mischief — 3, a C Felony and Assault — 3, a C Misdemeanor, and turned over to hospital staff for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The security director declined to press charges.
On September 5, 2012 at about 1:53 p.m. Mount Vernon police officers responded to Levister Tower at 240 South Avenue. Janet (Janice) Garris told police her son, Jarrell Garris, was “off his meds and acting strangely”. Jarrell Garris was taken by ambulance to Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital.
In 2007, according to WBCS News, a felony conviction resulted in a probationary term of five years for Garris. Under a plea agreement the conviction covered additional crimes, which included resisting arrest and reckless endangerment.
On July 27, 2007, at about 3:02 p.m. while on patrol, a New Rochelle Police officer was informed that a man later determined to be Jarrell Garris was dealing drugs. When the officer approached the man, he stated his name was Jarrell Garris, and he lived on Horton Avenue. He then provided a New York State Learner's permit. As other officers arrived, Garris started to become very fidgety and began yelling, causing a crowd to gather. Garris was advised to lower his voice, or he would be arrested for disorderly conduct. He continued to yell and began walking around in a circle. At this time, a crowd began to gather on the corner and vehicular traffic was being blocked.
Garris was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. As the officer grabbed his left arm, Garris pulled away violently in an attempt to prohibit the officer from getting a hold of him. Two other officers assisted as Garris began swinging his arm, flailing his arms and twisting, in an attempt to get away from their grasp. A struggle ensued, during which Garris was told to stop resisting numerous times. One of the officers was struck by Garris and injured during the violent struggle.
The officers were eventually able to handcuff Garris, and he was transported to police headquarters. During a search of the rear seat of a police car, immediately following transport of Jerrell Garris, a police officer discovered a white rock wrapped loosely in black plastic, crack cocaine.
Garris was asked about the rock. He stated that's why he fought to get away. He then stated, "I knew I had shit on me". The package found in the car contained about four grams of cocaine found in the back of the police vehicle.
Garris was charged with Assault – 2, a D Felony, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance – 4, a C Felony.
On April 19, 2007, at about 2:30 p.m, two New Rochelle Police officers were on patrol in an unmarked vehicle in the area of Horton Avenue on complaints of narcotics/alcohol use. They received information through beat contacts that there were two male blacks standing in front of 63 Horton Avenue, and they were selling drugs. They were described to them as a male black wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded sweat jacket, blue jeans and another other male black wearing blue jeans and a tan jacket.
The officers observed two males who matched the description, later identified as Jerrell Garris and Russell Fowler. The officers observed a person approach Garris and engage in what appeared to be a drug transaction. Garris removed an item from his left side jacket pocket and handed it to the person in exchange for money.
One of the officers approached Fowler and located marijuana.
Garris observed the presence of the officers and quickly turned and walked at a quickened pace East Bound on Horton Avenue. An officer told Garris to stop, but he ran down Horton Avenue. The officer pursued Garris on foot. When Garris approached Horton Avenue and Brook Street, the officer observed him remove numerous small baggies containing a white substance from his left side jacket pocket and throw them onto the street. The officer continued pursuit and Garris ran down the driveway of 81 Brook Street and jumped the fence, out of sight. After police canvassed the area, the two officers retrieved 17 small baggies containing a total of more than 10 grams of crack cocaine. Two other officers located Garris on Coligni Avenue where he was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. Garris stated that he did not want to run, but he was scared. He admitted he threw crack cocaine onto the ground. Garris was in possession of $32.00, which was confiscated as drug proceeds.
Garris was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance – 5, a D Felony.
There may be other records that became available. This article will be updated accordingly.
William Wagstaff is legally correct when he says Garris’ criminal record and personal history is “legally irrelevant to the fundamental question of was the shooting legally justified” but outside of a courtroom, readers can see that Jerrell Garris had a long track record which suggests he was in a dissociative state, most likely resulting from ingesting PCP, at the time of his fatal encounter with police on Lincoln Avenue.