A late-night disturbance call in west El Paso ended in tragedy early Sunday when a 50-year-old man died after being taken into police custody, according to El Paso police. Officers say the man lost consciousness while in custody, was transported by medics to a hospital, and was later pronounced dead. The department has launched an internal administrative review into the officers’ actions while detectives work to piece together what happened. The investigation is still active, and officials say more details will be released when they are available.
According to KFOX14/CBS4, officers were dispatched around 1:18 a.m. to 4907 Crossroads on a report of a “drunk disturbing” person who was allegedly intoxicated, arguing, and jumping on vehicles. Police say officers took the man into custody, and Fire Department medics checked his vital signs before transporting him to a hospital, where he later died. Investigators said preliminary information suggests his death was related to over-intoxication.
Internal Review And Investigative Process
The arresting officers are now under review by Internal Affairs, which police say is standard procedure after any in-custody death. As outlined in the El Paso Police Department procedures manual, in-custody deaths are investigated by the Crimes Against Persons unit and can trigger both administrative and criminal inquiries at the same time. The manual also notes that the Texas Rangers may be called in to assist with criminal investigations into deaths that occur while someone is in police custody.
What Officials Have Said And Next Steps
A department spokesperson speaking at a media briefing Sunday morning said investigators are gathering evidence and waiting for autopsy results, according to KFOX14/CBS4. Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and declined to identify the man, citing the need to notify his next of kin and complete further review.
Local Context
In-custody deaths have drawn increased scrutiny in El Paso this year. In August, KVIA reported that an autopsy ruled the death of a man who was tased on I-10 to be a homicide, underscoring how such incidents can quickly escalate into criminal investigations and intense public attention. That case has helped fuel calls from community groups and some local leaders for transparent and independent reviews whenever someone dies in police custody.
This story will be updated as the police and the coroner release more information. Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact the El Paso Police Department’s non-emergency line or follow official updates from the department’s Public Information Office.
