A man died in police custody in West Baltimore, triggering an investigation by the Maryland Office of Attorney General.
According to investigators, the individual seemed to be in a mental health crisis at the intersection of West Franklin Street and North Franklintown Road on Tuesday, June 24, when an officer attempted to restrain him.
According to the AG’s Office, the guy went unresponsive while in restraints and waiting for medical treatment before being brought to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Wednesday.
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation.
According to investigators, the man approached a Baltimore police officer, who was parked at a traffic light in a marked patrol vehicle.
The individual stepped into the middle of the road many times while the officer was chatting with him, according to the AG’s Office.
According to investigators, the officer sought to restrain the man for his own safety, and when other cops arrived, he was handcuffed and placed in leg restraints.
Investigators said the man regained consciousness moments later, about 10:30 p.m.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the policemen were wearing body cameras and recording the incident.
According to Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, on Wednesday, June 25, officers in West Baltimore shot and killed a 70-year-old woman who assaulted them with a knife.
The lady allegedly lunged at officers with a knife before being shot twice. She was brought to the hospital and pronounced dead.
According to Worley, cops responded to the Mosher Street residence for a mental health issue.
He claimed that officers tried to take her into custody for her own safety, but when she refused to comply, she was tased and then shot.
Worley reported that there have been more than 20 calls to the house this year, including for behavioural health issues.
“I believe this is a national crisis involving behavioural health issues. Unfortunately, too many of them involve the use of force,” Worley stated. “We have done a fantastic job of educating our police to de-escalate these situations. Unfortunately, they were unable to de-escalate the situation, which resulted in tragedy.”
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is investigating, as is standard procedure for police shootings.
Reference: Man dies after being restrained by Baltimore police, prompting AG investigation