New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash over a message he shared following the death of a man in city custody.
Luis Alberto Lopez Castillo died Wednesday, September 16, after experiencing medical distress following an appearance in Queens Criminal Court, Gothamist reported on Thursday, September 17.
Lopez Castillo, 20, was in court on charges of robbery, grand larceny, assault and criminal weapons possession stemming from a July 2025 incident, per the report. Court records showed that he was facing murder, manslaughter, robbery and criminal weapons possession charges in connection with the death of 26-year-old Ronell Marte.
The New York City mayor, 34, addressed the death on Thursday in a post on X, writing, “A person in City custody died yesterday evening following a court appearance in Queens. Department of Correction staff performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived to take him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”
“I extend my condolences to his family,” the mayor’s social media post continued. “In line with standard practice, the DOC and its oversight partners will investigate the circumstances of his death.”
Mamdani’s message quickly drew criticism from commenters who pointed to the charges Lopez Castillo was facing at the time of his death.
“What about the 26 year old special needs man he killed? Any condolences for him @NYCMayor,” one person responded.
Another wrote, “Once again, Mamdani offers condolences to the family of a murderer and acts indignantly when the hypocrisy and poor optics of the post are pointed out🤦🏻♂️.”
A third stated, “But no condolences to the family of the man he MURDERED. You are pure evil.”
According to Gothamist, authorities said Lopez Castillo and another man tried to rob Marte, who had special needs, at gunpoint in the Bronx’s Starlight Park in September 2025. Lopez Castillo had been awaiting trial in that case when he died.
Department of Correction officials said officers noticed Lopez Castillo in medical distress at the courthouse at approximately 6:30 p.m, the outlet reported. Staff administered CPR until first responders arrived and transported him to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 8 p.m.
Correction commissioner Stanley Richards called the death “a heartbreaking moment for me and the entire department,” per the report, and said the DOC would investigate the circumstances alongside city and state authorities.
Other commenters on Mamdani’s X post called for a thorough investigation into what happened.
“All body cam and videos best be preserved. Nothing better be corrupted or missing,” one person wrote. “It seems weird that this guy was health[y] enough to go to court and suddenly died. This better be investigated fully. Please keep people informed.”
Lopez Castillo’s death was at least the eighth death in Department of Correction custody in New York City this year, according to Gothamist.
As Globe previously reported, Mamdani also came under fire on September 11 after he was seen laughing during the 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This story NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Blasted Over Condolences to Family of Man Accused of Murder: ‘Pure Evil’ first appeared on Globe. Follow Globe on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.