A man behaving erractically who resisted arrest and bit a police officer while being placed in restraints died in custody on Sunday, April 20, after having a medical emergency, Fullerton police said Sunday, April 20.
The man was initially approached by an officer at Lemon Park around 12:30 a.m. after police said he acted erratically and was seen holding a smoldering cardboard box. When more officers arrived, police said the man became uncooperative and began to physically resist as officers attempted to gain control over him, the department said in a news release.
Additional backup was requested, and police said it took several officers to control the man and place him in restraints. During the struggle, one officer was injured after the man violently bit them in the arm, the release said.
A few minutes later, police said, the man showed signs of having “a medical emergency” as the Fullerton Fire Department tended to him and the injured officer. Paramedics began life-saving measures and transported the man to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Additional information on the nature of the medical emergency was not provided.
How many officers responded to the scene, what type of restraints were used, and whether drugs or mental health issues contributed to the man’s behavior or the emergency remains under investigation, said Kristy Wells, spokesperson for the Fullerton Police Department. The man’s identity was not released.
The injured officer was hospitalized and released Sunday. No further details were provided on his injury.
A critical incident report and video will be released by the police department within 45 days.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office is conducting an investigation, as is standard practice involving an in-custody death.