A late-night home invasion report in Pahrump ended with a man in handcuffs, a trip to Desert View Hospital and, just a few hours later, his death, according to Nye County authorities.
What deputies say
The Nye County Sheriff’s Office says dispatchers received a 911 call around 1:25 a.m. on June 17, reporting that a man who lives in another residence on the same property had kicked in a front door and gone into a bedroom. Deputies say the man, who had prior contacts with law enforcement, refused to cooperate once they arrived, fought with officers and was tasered multiple times before they were able to get him into custody at about 2:13 a.m. He was then taken to Desert View Hospital to be treated for what officials described as a minor laceration and was pronounced dead at 4:31 a.m., according to FOX5.
Coroner's review
The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner will confirm the man’s identity and conduct an autopsy to determine his cause and manner of death, according to the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner. The agency notes that decisions about whether to perform an autopsy depend on the circumstances of each case, and that forensic testing and medical record reviews can lengthen investigations while lab samples are analyzed.
Questions about use of force
Deputies told FOX5 the man fought with them and was tasered “multiple times with little to no effect” before he was finally taken into custody. Human-rights groups and medical researchers have long warned that deaths following use of conducted energy devices can involve a complicated mix of physical restraint, possible substances in a person’s system and underlying health issues, and that independent toxicology and forensic testing are typically needed before any conclusions are drawn, according to Amnesty International.
The Nye County Sheriff’s Office says the case remains an active investigation and that the man’s name will not be released until it is confirmed by the coroner. Officials say more information will be made public after the autopsy and agency review are complete.
