CU Boulder Police request investigation after man dies following fight with officers
The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department requested an investigative review of a case where a man fought with officers, experienced a medical emergency while en-route to a hospital and died days later at that hospital.
DENVER (KDVR) — The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department requested an investigative review of a case where a man fought with officers, experienced a medical emergency while en route to a hospital and died days later at that hospital.
The agency said Thursday it requested the investigation of the Dec. 27 incident from the Boulder County Investigation Team "out of an abundance of caution."
The multi-agency BCIT investigates use-of-force incidents by peace officers wherein deadly or potentially deadly physical force was exerted. CUPD said that the incident on Dec. 27 did not meet the criteria for an investigation by BCIT, but requested the investigation anyway.
"I appreciate the CU Police Department alerting the Boulder County Investigation Team and the District Attorney’s Office to this tragic death," said Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty in a press release. "Although it is not required by law or policy, I fully support CU’s request for the BCIT to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest, treatment, and eventual death of this person. The BCIT will conduct an objective, independent, and thorough investigation. After the District Attorney’s Office reviews the investigation, the findings will be shared with the community.”
According to CUPD, the case began around 8:15 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the Center for Innovation and Creativity on Exposition Drive. Officers were called to the area for a male suspect who was reportedly tampering with an external electrical box on the outside of the building and also attempted to break into a car in the area.
Officers reported the suspect was "acting erratically" when they arrived on scene. They said the suspect refused to follow commands and "fought with officers." CUPD took the suspect into custody, where he continued to resist officers.
CUPD requested aid from the Boulder Police Department, which responded, as did American Medical Response, due to an injury to a CUPD officer "and the continued erratic behavior of the suspect," according to a CUPD release. The AMR paramedics treated the suspect at the scene and transported him to Boulder Community Hospital.
During the transport, the suspect "experienced a medical emergency" and was subsequently admitted to the hospital. The suspect died on Sunday, Dec. 29, and police said methamphetamine was found in his possession. The Boulder County Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death, CUPD reported.
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