Pasadena Police Encounter Suspect Armed with a Knife, Suspect Dies in Police Custody

Pasadena Police issued a statement shortly after noon today about the death of a man in police custody earlier Friday.

In the statement, Pasadena Police said a call was received at about 2:20 a.m., regarding a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of East Orange Grove Blvd. with a suspect at the location armed with a knife.

Officers responded to the scene and encountered an African American male adult armed with a knife. The suspect did not comply with Officers orders as the suspect attempted to re-enter an occupied apartment at the location. Pasadena Officers deployed a Taser in an effort to disarm the suspect and a fight ensued. The suspect was ultimately subdued by Police.

Upon restraining the suspect, the Officers observed him not breathing at which time CPR and life saving measures were implemented.

The Officers continued CPR until the arrival of Pasadena Fire Paramedics who continued to render aid. Despite the efforts of Officers and Paramedics the suspect died at the scene.

As is the Pasadena Police Department’s protocol, the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Homicide Bureau was asked to respond along with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Investigators and conduct the investigation.

Despite earlier reports, this was not an Officer Involved Shooting, a firearm was not involved.

The name of the suspect has not been released.