Man who shot video of fatal NYC chokehold arrested on gun charge

FILE- In this undated family file photo provided by the National Action Network, Saturday, July 19, 2014, Eric Garner is shown. Garner’s death was ruled a homicide by the New York City medical examiner after it was determined that a choke hold police used while trying to arrest him in July 2014, caused his death. (AP Photo/Family photo via National Action Network, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In this undated family file photo provided by the National Action Network, Saturday, July 19, 2014, Eric Garner, right, poses with his children during a family outing. On Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, the New York City medical examiner announced that the chokehold used on Garner by a white police officer caused his death. The death was ruled a homicide. (AP Photo/Family photo via National Action Network, File) (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK – The NYPD says the man who shot a video of a fatal police chokehold has been arrested on a gun charge.

A police spokesman says Ramsey Orta was arrested Saturday on Staten Island.

Orta shot the video of an officer using a chokehold to restrain Eric Garner on July 17. Garner died later. The city medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Police say an unloaded weapon reported stolen in Michigan was recovered from Orta. It wasn't clear if Orta had a lawyer.

Patrick Lynch of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association says Orta's arrest "underscores the dangers that brought police officers" to Garner's community.

But the Rev. Al Sharpton says Orta's arrest wasn't relevant to police treatment of Garner. Sharpton and Garner's widow have called for an arrest in his death.