A man who police say was acting “erratic” and bit officers while being arrested died after experiencing a medical emergency while in custody early Sunday morning.
According to a press release from the Fullerton Police Department, an officer observed a man at Lemon Park just after 12:30 a.m., which is after the park closes.
“The male was in the city park after closing hours and appeared to be holding a cardboard box that was smoldering,” Fullerton police said in their release.
Additional officers arrived at the park to assist; however, the man became uncooperative and began to physically resist, police said, thus eliciting them to call for more emergency assistance. It eventually took several officers to gain control of the man and place him in restraints.
“While attempting to take the male into custody, the suspect violently bit an officer in the arm, causing injuries,” FPD stated.
Paramedics were requested to treat the arrestee and the officer who was bit, and several minutes after they arrived, the man began to exhibit signs of a medical emergency.
He was transported to a hospital where medical staff pronounced him deceased, authorities confirmed. He was not immediately identified.
The injured officer was treated and released.
Per department policy, any in-custody death involving Fullerton police officers will be investigated by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
All relevant videos, recordings and images will be released via a critical incident community briefing video within 45 days.
