An investigation is underway following the death of a 32-year-old man who died shortly after being released from Harris County Jail. According to a report, Alexis Jovany Cardenas was released from jail yesterday morning, but a physical altercation ensued when he resisted detention officers while being escorted out.
In a statement released by the Harris County Sheriff's Office, it was reported that a Taser was deployed in an effort to restrain Cardenas, though it was initially ineffective. Cardenas subsequently became unresponsive. CPR was performed by an officer, and jail medical staff provided further assistance, but he was pronounced dead at 1:57 a.m. at St. Joseph Hospital.
The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation into this incident to uncover the facts around Cardenas' death. The details surrounding the events that led to the use of a Taser and subsequent loss of Cardenas' responsiveness are yet to be clarified. An autopsy to determine the cause of death has been initiated by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Concurrently, the Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs is reviewing the actions of the detention officers against the department's policies to ensure adherence.
Cardenas had been in Harris County Jail since Sunday after his arrest by the Houston Police Department on municipal charges. His untimely death raises questions about the procedures followed during his release. The Sheriff's Office has committed to transparency in this matter, with a pledge to release video footage of the incident no more than 45 days, in accordance with its policy.
