ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Detectives are investigating the use of force by St. Petersburg police officers after a 48-year-old man died following a fight with police, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
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St. Petersburg police use of force investigation
What we know:
Police responded to a reported mental health crisis Saturday morning, investigators said.
A man was pronounced dead at a hospital after officers knocked on the door of his home in the Fossil Park neighborhood and fought with him after he went outside and attacked officers, according to PCSO.
The incident happened shortly before 11 a.m. at a St. Pete home in the 7200 block of 5th Street North.
Dig deeper:
According to investigators, an officer was flagged down by a woman who said her adult stepson was experiencing a mental health crisis at a nearby home and she needed help.
Police went to the home and knocked on the door to conduct a welfare check on the man, investigators said.
The man went outside and began attacking the officers, according to PCSO.
The officers defended themselves during the fight and eventually took the man to the ground, police said.
Once the man was on the ground and in custody, officers discovered he was not breathing. They began life-saving measures, including CPR, until paramedics arrived.
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The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, PCSO said.
Investigators said none of the force used by officers was intentional deadly force.
One officer was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries suffered during the fight, according to investigators.
Medical examiner autopsy review
What we don’t know:
It is not yet known why the man stopped breathing. Investigators said he had pre-existing medical conditions.
The man’s cause of death is pending an autopsy, and the Medical Examiner’s Office will make the official determination.
Police said the names of the officers involved will not be released until 72 hours after the incident because of Marsy’s Law, which took effect July 1.
Death investigation
What’s next:
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death remains underway.
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