A man accused of causing a disturbance inside a San Diego bar, then striking and biting a security guard, died after he stopped breathing while struggling with the guard and then officers, law enforcement said Sunday.
A San Diego police officer responded to the Star Bar at 423 E St. at 8:15 p.m. Saturday on a report of a violent man outside, the San Diego County Sheriff’s office — which is leading the investigation into the death — said in a statement.
The officer found the security guard and another man restraining the struggling man on the ground and quickly handcuffed him, the statement said.
The officer called for paramedics to evaluate the man while waiting for more law enforcement to arrive. Another officer secured the man’s legs.
Paramedics arrived by 8:26 p.m. and soon discovered the man was unresponsive and did not have a pulse. They initiated CPR and rushed him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives were leading the investigation.
“In adherence to the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into the circumstances of this in-custody death,” the sheriff’s department said in the statement.
“The investigation is ongoing, with detectives actively collecting evidence, conducting witness interviews, and analyzing the specific events that transpired.”
The case will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the officers have any criminal liability. There will also be an administrative review.
City News Service contributed to this report.
