On September 12, 2013, at 3:30 p.m., in the 5300 block of Franklin Boulevard, witnesses waved down officers as they were exiting a police substation to begin their shift. Witnesses quickly pointed out a male subject who was exhibiting odd behavior and rolling around on the ground in a parking lot across the street from the station.  The officers immediately drove across Franklin Boulevard to investigate. 

The officers, also observing the man’s strange behavior, exited their patrol vehicle and approached the subject, who made brief statements to them about narcotics use.  The man, later determined to be in his 40s, rolled underneath an unoccupied truck in the parking lot and officers were able to reach under the vehicle to retrieve him. 

Officers detained the subject in handcuffs and noticed that he was unresponsive.  The handcuffs were removed and emergency medical rescue efforts were administered by the officers as they awaited medical personnel who were rushing to the scene. 

The Sacramento Fire Department arrived and transported the subject to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  At this time it is unknown what caused the subject’s death.

No use of force was used by the officers and this incident is being investigated as an in custody death.    

The Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide, Internal Affairs and Crime Scene Investigations Units are working this investigation in conjunction with the City’s Office of Public Safety Accountability.