The man was in the backseat of a police car when he became ill.
Hagerstown, Md (KM ) An investigation is underway into the death of a man in police custody in Hagerstown last weekend.
Police say officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Washington Street on Saturday night at around 10:15. They were serving a search warrant at a home on that block. Upon arriving, they saw a man outside of the home. He was taken intro custody.
The man was placed in handcuffs and in the backseat of a police car. While in the backseat, the man started vomiting and had difficulty breathing. He then became unconscious. Officers rendered medical aid. The man was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Under Maryland law, the investigation of any death in police custody is handled by the State Attorney General’s Office’s Independent Investigations Division.
The IID will be the one to release the name of the man who died as well as the officers involved. The division says that usually takes place within two business days following the incident, but it could take longer.
IID says it usually releases any body cam from this incident within 20 business days, but that could take a little more time. That extra time would allow witness interviews to be completed, and if any of the identities of civilian witnesses need to be protected; or allow family members of the deceased to view the video before it’s made public. .
By Kevin McManus