Update: CBS 8 has obtained video of the altercation, taken by a neighbor. View video here
By Miriam Raftery
May 20, 2017 (Lemon Grove) — Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the death of an African American man, 54, who died after an altercation with deputies from the Lemon Grove substation in which multiple tasers were fired.
Deputies received multiple 911 calls this morning at 8:15 from residents of a complex at 8186 Lemon Grove Way in Lemon Grove. Callers reported that the man, who was not a resident of the complex, was seen jumping fences into resident's backyards and attempting to gain entry into the townhomes. The callers also said the suspect was acting as if he were under the influence of drugs.
Deputies arrived and found the suspect in the complex’s common patio area and ordered the suspect multiple times to lie down on the ground, but he refused, says Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson, with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.
“Both deputies deployed their Department issued Tasers, striking the suspect,” Nelson says. “The suspect went to the ground but continued to ignore commands to comply and attempted to stand again. A second round of Taser was deployed with the same minimal effect. Deputies engaged the suspect and were able to eventually wrestle the suspect into submission and place him into handcuffs.”
Because Tasers had been used, deputies called for paramedics to respond and evaluate the suspect.
“During this time, the suspect was alert and continued to struggle with deputies,” Nelson says.
But after paramedics were on scene and had begun treating the suspect, he became unresponsive. He was immediately transported to a local hospital. While on the way to the hospital, CPR was initiated on the suspect. Medical intervention was continued at the hospital but the suspect passed away shortly before noon.
The name of the suspect is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
A cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.