Erratic Suspect Dies After Fullerton Arrest: Cops

FULLERTON, CA —A Fullerton man, that witnesses say terrorized their neighborhood, was arrested under duress and died on the way to the hospital, officials reported.

Neighbors told reporters that they feared for their safety while the 22-year-old stood in the street, screaming and beat down doors. Several people, including the man's relatives, called the police for help while he allegedly terrorized the 200 block of Kellogg Drive.

Officers answering the call were "rushed" by the suspect, Fullerton Police Lt. John Radus said. In response, they "fired less-than-lethal rounds at him, striking him in the upper body," though the rounds had no effect, according to Radus.

Officers attempted to subdue the suspect, whose identity was not released. Tasers were deployed, which also had"no effect, and he continued to rush officers," Radus said.

It took six officers to place the combative man in handcuffs, and three of those were injured in the process, Radus told Patch. Still, the man continued to struggle with officers while on the ground, according to multiple videos released from the scene.

Though paramedics arrived to take the man to the hospital, his behavior continued to put others at risk, and medics were "granted permission to administer a sedative to calm him down," Radus said. At last, he was placed in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, however, the suspect stopped breathing inside the ambulance.

"Paramedics began CPR and continued to do so until they reached the hospital, where emergency room staff continued life-saving measures, but the man was later pronounced dead," Radus said.

The three injured officers all received medical attention. "One suffered injuries to his face, another suffered an injury to her neck, and the third an injury to his stomach," Radus said. All were treated and released.

Police later learned that about 4 p.m., the man tried to break into a woman's home, he said.

The woman, who was home alone and said that she did not know the suspect, could be heard screaming as the man repeatedly punched and kicked the door, then made his way into the home before running out a few seconds later, Radus said.

Earlier in February, the suspect was also involved in an altercation with Fullerton firefighters on Feb. 2 in the area of Magnolia and Valencia, Radus said. The man jumped in front of a fire engine and tried to fight with firefighters as they left the scene of an incident at the location.

At that time, police found him in possession of methamphetamine and held him for a mental evaluation at an area hospital.

"As is standard practice for any in-custody death involving Fullerton Police Officers, the Orange County District Attorney's Office was contacted, and investigators responded for an independent investigation of the circumstances leading up to the in-custody death," Radus said.

Anyone with information about this incident and the other events mentioned is urged to contact the Fullerton Police Crimes Against Persons Unit at (714) 738-6776. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6227 or visit www.p3tips.com/91

City News Service contributed to this report.

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