Man Dies in Custody NR11116kr

Updated with Officers Names

Los Angeles:  A partially clothed man died shortly after fighting with officers who were attempting to take him into custody.

On March 14, 2011, at about 7 a.m., Officers from Newton Patrol Division responded to a radio call of a suspect removing his clothing in the area of 55th Street and Avalon Boulevard.  The officers contacted the partially clothed man, identified as 36-year-old Christopher Davis, in the 5400 block of Avalon Boulevard.

Davis was behaving erratically not responding to the officer’s commands, refusing to submit to arrest and challenging the officers to fight.  In an effort to reduce the risk to Davis and the officers, officers used less lethal force in an attempt to safely take Davis into custody.  A bean bag shotgun and taser where utilized in that effort.  Even after the use of force, Davis continued to be combative and struggled with the officers, ultimately being restrained with handcuffs and a hobble restraint device before he was taken into custody.

Davis was immediately transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics for treatment.  At about 7:55 a.m. Davis was pronounced dead.  Davis’ cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner.  None of the officers involved were injured.

LAPD Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the Non Categorical Use of Force / In Custody Death.

Officers who were involved in the incident are as follows:

NAME                 RANK                   TIME WITH THE DEPT.
Joseph Marx        Police Officer II      5 years, 7 months
Javier Quinones   Police Officer II      3 years, 5 months
Jason Garcia        Police Officer II      5 years, 6 months
Antonio Hurtado   Police Officer II      5 years, 7 months
James Forsyth      Police Officer II     3 years, 8 months
Kevin Vy              Police Officer II     3 years, 6 months
Jose Solorzano     Police Officer II     4 years, 3 months