Man Dies In Police Custody After Possible Mental Health Crisis

GROVETON, VA—Fairfax County Police say a man died Tuesday night while in custody after a domestic dispute in Groveton.

Police responded to a call in the 4300 block of Mission Court around 4:35 p.m. from a family member struck in the head. The call had been about an overdose, but turned out to be "something different," said Police Chief Ed Roessler at a press briefing Wednesday. Officers arrived to find a naked man was potentially having a mental health crisis and causing harm to himself.

Officers reportedly spoke to him and tried to de-escalate his behavior when he fell onto the floor on his own accord. At this time, officers handcuffed him and used a restraining device to keep him from harming himself or others.

As officers took 31-year-old Christopher Paul into custody, he became unresponsive. Medics provided a medical assessment and CPR and took Paul to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Roessler did not say what kind of medical emergency Paul had, but maintained that no use of force was used. Paul was unarmed.

Police say administrative and criminal investigations are underway. Six officers have been placed on routine administrative leave pending the criminal and administrative investigations. After the criminal investigation is complete, the case will be handed over to the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney.

One of the officers was wearing a body camera that activated during the incident. Roessler said he will not release the footage at this time but will when it "no longer jeopardizes the integrity of the investigation."

Patch will update this story.

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