A soldier who fled law enforcement officials investigating a reported break-in at on-base housing at Fort Polk, Louisiana, died after he was apprehended, according to a Tuesday news release from the base.
The soldier, who has not been identified, reportedly matched the description given to military police of an individual “allegedly trying to illegally enter a home that was not his residence,” according to the release. The suspect fled when MPs approached him, then resisted arrest and finally was apprehended after law enforcement officials reportedly used both pepper spray and a stun gun.
After handcuffing the soldier, MPs saw that the individual was “in medical distress,” per the release, and emergency medical personnel who were on scene “began attempting life-saving measures.” The soldier was taken to a medical facility, where he was later pronounced dead.
NOLA.com was among local media outlets that first reported the incident. No further details will be released to “protect the integrity of the investigative process,” the release says.
Law enforcement officers who responded to the incident were put on administrative leave in its aftermath, and are now on administrative duties pending an Army Criminal Investigation Command investigation, according to the release. CID has asked anyone with information on the incident or who may have witnessed the events to call 337-531-2809 or email Army.CID.Crime.Tips@mail.mil.
