Eric Garner died in a shootout with New York police July 17 . The medical board ruled that the death of Garner , 43 , was a homicide . Garner had a lengthy criminal history , including more than 30 arrests , and had been arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes in May , police said . The ruling sparked protests in New York City .
Eric Garner died in a shootout with New York police July 17 . The medical board ruled that the death of Garner , 43 , was a homicide . The ruling sparked protests in New York City .