CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a domestic violence suspect died in custody after going into cardiac arrest on Sunday morning.
CMPD said the suspect went into cardiac arrest after being arrested by police, and was transported by Medic to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the in-custody death.
Officers had responded to a welfare-check call on the 4700 block of Palm Breeze Lane around 4:30 a.m., according to CMPD.
The department said preliminary information "indicates that the suspect was involved in a domestic violence incident, fired a weapon multiple times, and then left the scene in his vehicle prior to the officer’s arrival."
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Police found the suspect's car in the 5300 block of Windy Valley Drive after he had reportedly crashed into multiple other cars and broke into a nearby residence.
He was acting erratically as officers approached, CMPD said.
According to the police statement, they detained him using a “soft, empty hands” approach, which is the protocol detailed in CMPD’s response to resistance policy.
"Due to his erratic behavior, officers immediately called for Medic," CMPD said.
The suspect was reported to be conscious when the Charlotte Fire Department arrived, however, he went into cardiac arrest while being evaluated.
Medic took the man Atrium Main where he was pronounced deceased.
"Because the suspect was detained prior to transport, this would be considered an “in-custody” death," CMPD said.
A firearm was recovered at the scene, according to police.
CMPD has opened a separate, internal investigation to "review the officers’ actions and if policies and directives were followed."
The department's violent crimes division is investigating the initial alleged crimes that led to the call for service.
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