Man beaten with baton by Sacramento police officers later dies in custody

SACRAMENTO — A man taken into custody by the Sacramento Police Department has died, according to the police department.

Video obtained by CBS13 of the arrest on the 8300 block of Folsom Boulevard shows a suspect being restrained by a male officer’s legs, while a female officer strikes him 10 times with a baton.

According a statement from Sacramento Police Department, a man in his early 40s entered the Metro PCS store and made unintelligible statements to a female employee. She called 911 fearing for her safety. The man left the store, but went back in when officers arrived and attempted to barricade himself inside by trying to secure the front door.

Officers say they forced the door open and when they tried to contact the man.

That’s where police say the violent struggle began. Officers then called for backup when one of the officers was physically overpowered.

According to the police press release, pepper spray and multiple baton strikes were used to free an officer that was in the suspect’s grasp. In addition, the release notes bystanders kicking the suspect, a security guard also using a baton on the suspect.

The suspect was eventually restrained and brought into custody after backup officers and a nearby off-duty Sacramento County District Attorney investigator arrived. After the subject was in custody, officers noted he wasn’t breathing.

The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. A police officer and the investigator were also taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Sacramento Police disclosed the death via Twitter.

The official cause of death is unknown and will be determined by the coroner.

An investigation is underway involving the department’s homicide, internal affairs and crime scene investigation units, as well as the city’s office of public safety and accountability and the district attorney’s office.