Willits Man Dies After Tasing and Arrest by Mendocino Deputies; District Attorney Investigating
The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office is investigating a law enforcement-involved death in which a Taser and chemical spray were used, but no firearm was discharged.
According to Mendocino County Sheriffs Office, the incident occurred yesterday, Thursday, June 5th, at approximately 7:00 PM, when the California Highway Patrol requested assistance near the 2000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits.
CHP had received a report of a hitchhiker who allegedly assaulted a motorist after being picked up. The assault was reportedly unprovoked, and the driver was hospitalized with injuries.
In a press release, MCSO stated:
“A Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy located a male adult walking in the middle of the roadway in the 1200 block of Hearst Willits Road. The subject refused lawful commands, assumed a fighting stance, and lunged at the deputy. The deputy deployed de-escalation tactics and warned the subject that a Taser would be used if he did not comply. When the subject fled into nearby brush, he was pursued by additional Sheriff’s personnel.”
The release continued, stating that OC spray was deployed, and the subject physically resisted arrest. He was ultimately Tased during the attempt to place him in handcuffs. Officers from the Willits Police Department also responded and assisted in restraining the man.
Once in custody, the subject became unresponsive. Deputies removed his restraints and began CPR, also administering Narcan. Emergency medical personnel arrived and continued lifesaving efforts for approximately 30 minutes, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Because the man died while in law enforcement custody, the County-Wide Fatal Incident Protocol was initiated. The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office is now leading the investigation.
A coroner’s inquiry is underway, and a post-mortem examination will determine the official cause and manner of death. The man has been identified as a 36-year-old male from Willits, but his name has not been released pending further investigation.
Per policy, the two deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.
The Sheriff’s Office added that investigations are also continuing into the alleged assault against the motorist who initially picked up the hitchhiker.
KMUD News has reached out to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office for additional information, but we have not yet received a response as of news time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at (707) 463-4086, or leave an anonymous tip at (707) 234-2100. Information will be forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney, which remains the lead investigative agency.
KMUD News will continue to follow this story as new details are released.
