DEATH IN CUSTODY: MAY 28, 2019
SUMMARY
On Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at approximately 1:39 a.m., a uniformed Sacramento Police Department (SPD) officer driving a marked police vehicle, was in the area of Plover Street and Glenrose Avenue. The officer observed a red truck travelling eastbound on Glenrose Avenue fail to make a complete stop for the stop sign, at Plover Street. The officer followed behind the vehicle to conduct an enforcement stop. Before the officer could initiate an enforcement stop, the truck pulled into a nearby driveway in the 1800 block of Glenrose Avenue.
As the officer approached the truck, the driver had already stepped out and was standing next to the driver’s side door. The officer contacted the driver and asked him for his driver’s license. The driver indicated he did not have a driver’s license but handed an identification card to the officer. The officer established the driver spoke Spanish with limited English and directed the driver, in Spanish, to sit on the front bumper of his patrol vehicle while he conducted a record check.
At approximately 1:42 a.m., while the officer was running a computer check, he observed the driver collapse and fall to the ground. The officer exited his vehicle to check on the driver’s health and recognized he was having a medical emergency. The officer started to render aid and requested the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) respond for medical assistance.
Additional officers arrived on scene and assisted with providing first aid. The officers continuously monitored vital signs of the driver until they recognized CPR was necessary. SFD arrived and took over medical care and transported the driver to a local area hospital. Shortly after arrival, the driver was pronounced deceased.
PRESS RELEASES
- May 28, 2019: Death in Custody Investigation – 1800 Block of Glenrose Avenue
- May 31, 2019: Release of Audio / Video Related to Death in Custody Investigation – 1800 block of Glenrose Avenue
VIDEO AND AUDIO FILES
The material released consisted of five (5) body-worn camera (BWC) videos, two (2) in-car camera (ICC) videos, one (1) police audio file and five (5) surveillance videos.
All video and audio released has been redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved. The faces and license plates have been blurred, and audio redactions are signified by muted audio with no accompanying sound.
Status
A response and investigation into the incident will also be conducted by the Force Investigation Team. The investigation will focus on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to the use of force.