No cause of death yet for man who died in Honolulu police custody

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) spokesperson Captain Rade Vanic told the Independent today that there is still no cause of death available for a man who died while in police custody on Monday evening.

At about 8:16 p.m. on March 16, 2015, HPD officers responded to the area of South King Street fronting ʻIolani Palace after a report was made concerning a “male wearing dark-colored clothing and running in the middle of the roadway, acting erratically,” according to HPD.

According to police, the male refused to leave the roadway and “continuously” ran away and evaded officers as they approached him.

HPD says pepper spray was used but claims it was ineffective “as the male continued to remain on the roadway.” An “electric gun” was also deployed twice, according to HPD, but was also ineffective.

Police say the male then tripped and fell while trying to run away, at which time officers were able to place the man under arrest. The officers say they then “escorted” the man to the sidewalk when he “suddenly became unresponsive.”

The Emergency Services and Honolulu Fire Departments then responded to the scene. The male was transported via ambulance to the nearby Queens Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Officers closed South King and Richards Streets throughout the incident.