(July 14, 2008) -- Here's further on the death of Deshoun Keyon Torrence, 18, a downtown residential burglary suspect who died while in LBPD custody on the evening of July 12.

The L.A. County Coroner tells LBReport.com that it hasn't determined cause of death and won't for several days.

LBPD Commander (Gang/Violent Crimes Detail) Laura Farinella provides the information below (with a caveat that information is as presently understood with the investigation ongoing).

A resident indicates he returned home and found the suspect (Torrence) in the residence.

The resident says there was a shotgun and it was the suspect's shotgun. An altercation ensued between the resident and suspect as the resident attempted to detain the suspect until officers arrived.

The resident got the shotgun from the suspect and the suspect was struck in the head.

Commander Farinella says there was a use of force by police...but says it didn't involve the suspect's head...and there were no strikes by any officer to the suspect's head.

Commander Farinella says the suspect was lucid and openly talking with PD officers while in the police car; he was examined by Paramedics; there was no indication that he was going to die...and LBPD is as concerned as any party about what happened and the investigation is ongoing.

In an initial release issued Sunday (July 13), LBPD says its officers responded to a reported residential burglary in progress in the 600 block of Elm Ave...and while enroute officers received additional information "that screams for help were being heard from the residence and that a suspect was possibly being detained inside.

When officers arrived at the location they were directed to the apartment were the suspect was located...and officers noted the suspect had sustained injuries prior to their arrival.

"Officers, while attempting to take the suspect into custody used necessary force after he became combative towards them while being taken into custody. Paramedics were summoned and medical treatment was provided to the suspect, for injuries he sustained prior to the officers arrival. The suspect, prior to being placed in the rear of the police vehicle for transport was alert, oriented and coherent and answered questions appropriately. A short time after Paramedics treated the suspect and cleared the scene; officers discovered that the suspect was unresponsive," the July 13 release said.

It added that officers performed CPR on the suspect until Paramedics arrived...but he was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics.