The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation has initiated an investigation into the death of Matthew Brown. Mr. Brown died on March 25, 2025, after an encounter with New York State Police officers in Oneida County on March 24.
The incident began at 11:14 p.m. when state police officers responded to a 911 call at a residence in Barneveld, Oneida County. Upon arrival, officers engaged with Mr. Brown and attempted to take him into custody for a mental health evaluation. During this process, a struggle ensued, and Mr. Brown was restrained and handcuffed. Officers then summoned an ambulance, but before it arrived, Mr. Brown became unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was declared dead shortly after 1:00 a.m. on March 25.
The Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation acts according to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b. This law mandates that the office assess incidents where a police officer or peace officer, which includes corrections officers, may have caused a person's death, whether through an action or failure to act. These assessments are conducted regardless of whether the officer is on-duty or off-duty and whether the decedent was armed, unarmed, in custody, or incarcerated. If the office's preliminary assessment suggests an officer's involvement in the death, a full investigation is conducted.
The information currently available is preliminary and may be subject to change.