Authorities are investigating what caused the death of a 54-year-old man who died shortly after he was handcuffed by New York City police.

Police say they were called by Richard Gonzalez’s wife to their Bronx apartment Wednesday after she reported that her husband was on drugs and was agitated. Investigators say officers separated the two, put Gonzalez on the floor and slapped handcuffs on him.

Investigators said Thursday that about a minute after he was handcuffed, Gonzalez began to be distressed. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Gonzalez’s wife, 58-year-old Hafiza Ali-Gonzalez, says she will pursue legal action if the medical examiner rules his death a homicide.

(AP)