Submitted by Fox First at Ten on February 24th
SPOKANE, Wash. - The investigation into a death at the Spokane County Jail continues, and Washington State Troopers told KHQ Sunday, it appears the victim was high on meth at the time of the incident.
Troopers say just after 3:00am, 911 dispatchers received a call from a man who was not making sense. He told dispatchers he had ingested methamphetamine and thought someone was trying to harm him. The dispatcher sent over a Spokane Police Officer to the 2100 block of W. 4th to check on the man.
When police arrived, the man again told them he had been using meth and was a diabetic. Police called for medics to evaluate him. While being treated, dispatch informed the police officer that the man also had an arrest warrant. After being cleared by medics, he was taken to jail on the outstanding warrant.
While in the booking process, the man became uncooperative. Spokane County Corrections Deputies used force, including a TASER to gain control of the man who was then placed in a restraint chair. a short time after being placed in the chair, the man lost consciousness. Deputies and medical staff immediately began CPR and first aid, but were unable to revive the man. He was later pronounced dead.
The Critical Incident Protocol has been invoked and the Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team is currently conducting the investigation. The Washington State Patrol will be the managing agency for the incident. An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday.
Previous Coverage:
Spokane County Sheriff's Office Press Release: SPOKANE, Wash. - This morning at approximately 5:00 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff's Office Jail deputies had an uncooperative adult male in the booking area of the jail. Force was used during the incident including the use of a TASER to gain control of the inmate. Once control of the inmate was gained, he was placed in a restraint chair but shortly after, the inmate lost consciousness. Deputies and emergency medical staff immediately provided medical aid and CPR until AMR staff arrived and continued life-saving efforts. Unfortunately, despite these medical efforts, the inmate did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead. The Critical Incident Protocol has been invoked and the Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR Team) has been called to the scene to investigate. The Washington State Patrol will be the managing agency for this incident and any further information will be released by them when appropriate. The SIRR Team is comprised of members of the Washington State Patrol, Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the Spokane Police Department
