Teen dies after fall off NYC roof during attempted arrest

NEW YORK (AP) - Police say a New York City teenager has died after falling off the roof of a six-story Bronx building as police officers attempted an arrest.

The New York Police Department says 17-year-old Hakeem Kuta succumbed Saturday to injuries from the fall Thursday night.

Police have said Kuta appeared to have misjudged a ledge while backing away from approaching officers Thursday night.

Police spokesman Stephen Davis has said officers had chased the teenager and other young men up the stairs after someone complained that they were smoking marijuana.

Davis said when the officers got to the roof, some teens jumped to another roof and ran away. But Kuta and his 14-year-old companion were pinned in by a dividing wall. Davis said Kuta then shuffled backward over a ledge and fell.