By David Greene
Bronx Voice
December 16, 2025
What Happened to Saniyan Cheatham?
On the early morning of July 5, 2025, at approximately 12:40 a.m., an NYPD officer requested EMS assistance after finding Saniyan Cheatham unconscious at the 41st Precinct station house in Longwood, Bronx. Despite efforts from officers who performed CPR, Cheatham was pronounced dead at NYC Health and Hospitals / Lincoln shortly after being transported there.
The NYPD confirmed that Cheatham had been detained at the precinct on a non-violent domestic violence charge. However, questions remain about the circumstances of her arrest and the events leading up to her death. Why was she arrested for a non-arrestable offense? And why was she in police custody at all? These questions have fueled protests and demands for answers.
Public Outcry and Demonstrations in the Bronx
On November 18, 2025, dozens of demonstrators gathered at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx, demanding justice for Saniyan Cheatham. The protesters marched to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office on the Grand Concourse, blocking traffic and chanting “murderer” at a stunned police officer. The rally was organized by Donald Curtis, Executive Director of the Unified Black Caucus, who made it clear that the community would not stand by while Cheatham's death went unpunished.
“We are calling on the Bronx District Attorney’s office for an investigation, indictment, arrest, and prosecution of all officers that had Saniyan Cheatham in their care, custody, and control on July 4 and 5, 2025,” Curtis told the Bronx Voice.
Allegations of Racial Profiling and Police Misconduct
Curtis and other rally organizers argue that Cheatham was a victim of racial profiling, arrested for a non-arrestable offense. According to Curtis, Cheatham’s arrest stemmed from a domestic violence call—a charge that could have resulted in a summons rather than her being taken into custody. He emphasized that Cheatham was neither a threat nor a criminal and should never have been detained in the first place.
“She should have been issued a summons and never been put in cuffs and taken to a precinct,” Curtis said.
This claim of racial profiling has resonated with many in the community, fueling concerns about police practices, especially in historically marginalized neighborhoods like the Bronx. Demonstrators are calling for a full investigation into the officers involved and an examination of the NYPD’s treatment of young people of color.
Official Investigations: What’s Being Done?
As public pressure mounts, both the NYPD and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office have issued statements about the ongoing investigations into Cheatham’s death. The Bronx DA’s office confirmed that the New York State Attorney General’s Office is handling the investigation into the incident, specifically through the Office of Special Investigation.
A source from the Attorney General’s office stated that a preliminary assessment of the case is underway. Based on their findings, the office could present evidence to a grand jury or issue a public report detailing why no charges were pursued.
While this investigation continues, Cheatham’s mother, Thomasina Cheatham, has met with the Crime Victim’s Assistance Bureau for support services and referrals, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s office.
A Life Cut Short: Remembering Saniyan Cheatham
Saniyan Cheatham was an 18-year-old student from the Bronx with dreams of making a difference. Cheatham grew up on Hoe Avenue, graduated from Albert Einstein High School, and was attending Bronx Community College. She was studying psychology when her life was tragically cut short by an incident that many believe could have been prevented.
Her family and friends remember her as a bright young woman with a promising future. Her death has left a lasting impact on the community, and the fight for justice continues.
Broader Implications: Police Accountability and Racial Justice
Cheatham’s death is part of a broader pattern of police-related incidents in New York City and across the United States. As communities continue to demand accountability, public frustration grows over the lack of consequences for police officers involved in controversial actions.
In a separate but related case, the New York State Attorney General’s office also announced in December 2025 that no charges would be filed against the police officers involved in the shooting death of Win Rozario, a 19-year-old who was killed by NYPD officers inside his Queens home on March 27, 2024. This announcement has only intensified calls for reform and greater oversight of police practices.
Moving Forward: Calls for Justice and Reform
The death of Saniyan Cheatham has sparked a renewed conversation about police brutality, racial profiling, and systemic injustice in law enforcement. Activists, family members, and community leaders are demanding that Cheatham’s death not be swept under the rug. They are calling for greater police accountability, transparency in investigations, and legal reforms to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
While the investigation continues, Cheatham’s case has become a symbol of the fight for justice in communities of color. Demonstrators are not just fighting for one woman’s life, but for the many others who have died under similar circumstances.
Conclusion: Will Justice Be Served?
As the investigation into Saniyan Cheatham’s death unfolds, the Bronx community is closely watching to see if those responsible will face any consequences. With public demonstrations, online petitions, and community activism, Cheatham’s family and supporters are determined to ensure her death is not forgotten.
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