Seven American police officers were detained and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a Kenyan man.
On March 6, Irvo Otieno, 28, passed away while being held by authorities.
Otieno allegedly became belligerent while being admitted to the hospital, according to a statement from the state police.
“Otieno was then restrained and later died,” the statement added.
Paramedics were summoned to the scene at 4:30 p.m., according to the police, and they attempted to revive the patient, but he was declared deceased at the scene.
According to state records, the seven sheriff’s deputies have been placed on administrative leave awaiting the resolution of the cases brought against them and are expected to testify before a grand jury on March 21.
The seven cops, according to local media, are being held without bond.
The Henrico County Sheriff’s Office said it is completely cooperating with a separate investigation by the Virginia State Police while also conducting an independent review of the incident.
“Public safety is what we stand for as a Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to maintain the highest professional standards in how we serve and protect those in our custody, the community at-large and our staff,” Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory said in a statement.“Public safety is what we stand for as a Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to maintain the highest professional standards in how we serve and protect those in our custody, the community at-large and our staff,” Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory said in a statement.
Otieno had been arrested on March 3 in Henrico on charges of disorderly conduct at a hospital, destruction of property and three counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer for offences that day.
He was held at Henrico Jail until he was transferred to Central State, a maximum-security psychiatric facility run by the state.
