Skip to main content
Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

ACLU criticizes use neck holds following Vegas man’s death

This photo taken at The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 14, 2017, shows the scene where an unarmed man died after police squeezed his neck during a struggle to subdue him. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which led a push for use-of-force reforms after Las Vegas police were involved in 25 shootings in 2010, said Monday, May 15, 2017, that it will seek a review of the training that allows officers to use what the department calls "lateral vascular neck restrain." (Billy Winkler via AP)
This photo taken at The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 14, 2017, shows the scene where an unarmed man died after police squeezed his neck during a struggle to subdue him. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which led a push for use-of-force reforms after Las Vegas police were involved in 25 shootings in 2010, said Monday, May 15, 2017, that it will seek a review of the training that allows officers to use what the department calls "lateral vascular neck restrain." (Billy Winkler via AP) This photo taken at The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 14, 2017, shows the scene where an unarmed man died after police squeezed his neck during a struggle to subdue him. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which led a push for use-of-force reforms after Las Vegas police were involved in 25 shootings in 2010, said Monday, May 15, 2017, that it will seek a review of the training that allows officers to use what the department calls "lateral vascular neck restrain." (Billy Winkler via AP)

By Associated Press 3 min read

LAS VEGAS (AP) – An unarmed man’s death after Las Vegas police grabbed him in a neck hold has put a much-criticized law enforcement technique to subdue people back in the spotlight.

Las Vegas police train to use a version of a chokehold designed to avoid restricting the airway while cutting the flow of blood to the brain, a technique the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada now believes should be off limits.

Tashii S. Brown, 40, died early Sunday outside The Venetian after a police officer used the technique. Brown became unconscious and died, despite efforts at CPR.

“We’re aware that they use this. But there has got to be another option,” ACLU executive Tod Story said Monday. “There have been people in custody who have died. It really should no longer be used.”

Brown’s death near The Venetian has drawn comparisons with the July 2014 death of 43-year-old Eric Garner at the hands of New York City police. A passer-by captured video of Garner pleading “I can’t breathe,” while officers pinned him to the sidewalk. His last words became a rallying cry during public protests about police use of force.