CHULA VISTA–Authorities have launched an investigation of a man who died while in police custody during a concert at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre.
The Wednesday incident began at about 7:30 p.m. Amphitheatre security personnel told investigators that they contacted the man, described as a heavy-set white male adult in his late 50’s, when he appeared to be intoxicated and moving from seat to seat. They asked the man for his ticket. When he couldn’t produce it they began to escort him toward the exit. At some point the man attempted to flee and they struggled briefly with him. Chula Vista police officers who were in uniform working the special event came to assist. The man was screaming incoherently and acting irrationally. Officers handcuffed him and escorted him to the security office. Another brief struggle occurred when he attempted to run away. They were able to detain him again. Medical personnel on scene for the concert evaluated him and indicated he was without serious injury. The man, who was under arrest for public intoxication, appeared to fall asleep seated upright in a chair while officers completed their paperwork. At about 8:40 p.m. an officer noticed he had stopped snoring and checked his welfare and found the man was unresponsive. Nearby medical personnel were summoned, but the man was declared deceased at about 9:15 p.m.
The Medical Examiner was notified and will conduct an examination to determine the cause of death.
Chula Vista police department and the district attorney’s office will conduct an investigation on the man’s death.
