In Custody Death at Southwest Station NR13423bb

Los Angeles:  On September 7, 2013, around 11:35 p.m., Southwest Area Gang Enforcement officers went into pursuit of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban for a possible DUI driver.  Additional units responded to the pursuit and an LAPD air-unit began tracking the vehicle. The pursuit terminated in the vicinity of Jim Gillian Park, and three suspects, including one later identified as Jorge Azucena, fled the vehicle on foot.

The air-unit directed responding units to Azucena and a second suspect and they were subsequently taken into custody without incident.  Azucena was transported to Southwest Area Police Station and placed in a detention cell.  While in the cell, Azucena was observed to be in medical distress and he subsequently collapsed in the cell.  

Los Angeles Fire Department Rescue Ambulance responded and paramedics began treating Azucena.  Azucena was transported to a local hospital where, after several hours of life saving measures, he failed to respond to treatment and was pronounced dead.  

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the in custody death.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s policy.  

Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the incident.
 
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