But residents also said the area was a place where jobs were hard to come by, drugs were prevalent and encounters with the police could be fraught.
On Wednesday evening, Mr. Duprey, 30, was on a motorbike, fleeing narcotics officers who were attempting to arrest him, the police said, when a sergeant, Erik Duran, threw a cooler at him.
Mr. Duprey lost control of the bike, hitting a tree and a car before the bike toppled over and he fell to the ground, a surveillance video reviewed by The New York Times shows.
On Friday, the New York City medical examiner’s office ruled Mr. Duprey’s death a homicide.
In the days since, Mr. Duprey’s family has disputed the Police Department’s account, and protesters have called for criminal charges against the sergeant who threw the cooler.
Persons:
Eric Duprey, Duprey, Erik Duran, Duprey’s, Stephanie Keith
Organizations:
The New York Times, New, Police
Locations:
Bronx, New York City