New York's attorney general announced Saturday she would form a grand jury to probe the death of a black man whom police had hooded and forced face-down on a road.

Daniel Prude's family said he died on March 30 after being removed from life support, seven days after his detention by police in the city of Rochester.

He is the latest African-American to die after an encounter with law enforcement, cases that have galvanized protests around the United States.

The grand jury represents a bolstering of the authorities' response to Prude's death as the panel has the power to issue indictments.

This image taken from police bodycam video released by the Rochester, New York, Police Department, shows police arresting Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020 after putting a hood on his head
This image taken from police bodycam video released by the Rochester, New York, Police Department, shows police arresting Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020 after putting a hood on his head Rochester Police Department / -

"The Prude family and the Rochester community have been through great pain and anguish," New York state Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.

"My office will immediately move to empanel a grand jury as part of our exhaustive investigation into this matter."

The announcement came the day after protesters, some wearing helmets and carrying shields, clashed with police during a demonstration in Rochester sparked by Prude's death.

"I applaud @NewYorkStateAG for taking swift, decisive action in empaneling a grand jury -- justice delayed is justice denied and the people of New York deserve the truth," Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter.

A protest in New York City on September 3, 2020 to demand justice for Daniel Prude
A protest in New York City on September 3, 2020 to demand justice for Daniel Prude AFP / Kena Betancur

Prude's family and activists made his death public Wednesday, after receiving body cam footage through an open records request.

Joe Prude told journalists he had called police March 23 as his brother suffered a mental health episode.

"I placed a phone call for my brother to get help, not to get lynched," Joe Prude said Wednesday.

When officers arrived, Daniel Prude was unarmed and naked in the road, according to the video.

Police ordered an initially compliant Prude to get on the ground, but after being handcuffed he became increasingly agitated.

Officers then put a "spit hood" on him and forced his head to the pavement. Moments later he lost consciousness.

He died in a hospital a week later, when life support was switched off.

Local media said an autopsy ruled the death a homicide caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint."

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