FURTHER UPDATE: Deceased Is Identified; PD Says 47 Yr Old Man -- Allegedly Acting Bizarrely, Possibly Under Influence Of Narcotics -- In 3200 block Ladoga (ELB) Doesn't Obey Commands, Officers Try Non-Lethal Means (Incl. Taser), Then Apply Carotid Restraint...And He Subsequently Suffers Cardiac Arrest; Officers Attempt Life Saving Measures; LBFD Transports Him To Hospital; He's Pronounced Deceased And Investigations Now Ongoing
LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. Support independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.
(Sept. 6, 2015, 5:05 p.m.) -- The Orange County Sheriff/Coroner has identified the decedent in the events below as Manuel Ornelas, 47, of Long Beach, who was transported to nearby Los Alamitos Medical Center (in OC) and pronounced deceased at 11:57 a.m. Sept. 5.
(Sept. 5, 2015, UPDATED 11:40 p.m. from 4:20 p.m.) -- LBPD tonight (Sept. 5) issued the release text below after a 47 year old man suspected of being under the influence of narcotics, allegedly acting bizarrely and failing to obey officers' commands, went into cardiac arrest after officers tried an "electronic control device" [we presume a taser] and ultimately used a carotid restraint in the 3200 block of Ladoga Ave. (south of Wardlow Rd., east of Palo Verde Ave.)
The release indicates the man was [LBPD release description] "acting bizarrely and breaking things inside the residence"; arriving officers observed the suspect [allegedly] throwing items from out of a second story window, including a television" and the suspect "also broke out several windows of the residence [see LBPD photo below accompanying the release.]
LBPD released photo
[Scroll down for further.]
The release says that the suspect exited the house; officers used verbal commands directing him to surrender but the suspect didn't comply, and officers attempted non-lethal means "which included continued verbal commands, an electronic control device, physical force, and a carotid restraint, to take him into custody." [LBREPORT.com note: A carotid restraint isn't an airway "choke hold." When properly applied, it's meant to temporarily deprive the brain of oxygen, causing a non-compliant subject to pass out, and when oxygenated blood flow returns, the subject is supposed to come-to.]
LBPD's release says after several minutes, officers were able to take the suspect into custody and while monitoring his medical condition, he went into cardiac arrest. "Officers began life saving measures, which were taken over by the Long Beach Fire Department upon their arrival." Fire personnel transported the suspect to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
[LBPD release text] On Saturday, September 5, 2015, around 10:40 a.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to a residence in the 3200 block of Ladoga Avenue regarding a subject who was possibly under the influence of narcotics. The male adult subject was acting violently and destroying the residence. Arriving officers had to use force to detain the man. After he was detained, officers recognized he was unresponsive and they immediately began life saving measures until Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived. Long Beach Fire Department transported him to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
As is standard in all in-custody death investigations, detectives from the Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detail responded to conduct an investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed one of the residents at the location called police after finding his roommate, a 47-year-old man, was acting bizarrely and breaking things inside the residence. Arriving officers observed the suspect throwing items from out of a second story window, including a television. The suspect also broke out several windows of the residence. Officers also observed that the suspect was bleeding profusely, possibly from cuts that he sustained while breaking out the windows. Officers requested that the Fire Department respond and stand by based on the suspect's bizarre behavior.
The suspect exited the house and officers used verbal commands to direct him to surrender, however the suspect did not comply. The suspect fled into the garage where officers confronted him. Officers attempted non lethal means, which included continued verbal commands, an electronic control device, physical force, and a carotid restraint, to take him into custody. After several minutes, officers were able to take the suspect into custody. While officers were monitoring his medical condition, he went into cardiac arrest. Officers began life saving measures, which were taken over by the Long Beach Fire Department upon their arrival. Fire personnel transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
The suspect's identity is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office is conducting an independent investigation to determine the cause of death. [UPDATE Sept. 6] The suspect was transported to a local hospital in Orange County. Therefore, the Orange County Coroner's Office is conducting an independent investigation to determine cause of death. [end UPDATE].
Investigators from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also responded. They are conducting an independent investigation, which is standard in all cases of in-custody deaths.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org
LBREPORT.com will update this story with further as we learn it.
(Sept. 5, 2015, from initial report 4:20 p.m.) -- ...LBPD Public Information Officer says (initial information) arriving officers detained the man (adult) and a use of force occurred [unspecified by LBPD at this point.] The man became unresponsive and officers began life saving measures until LBFD arrived. LBFD responded and transported him to a hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
LBPD's investigation of what is technically an in-custody death is now taking place, accounting for the police presence visible into this afternoon.
