The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the death of a man who was arrested Tuesday and later died at the hospital while in custody.
According to a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) release, the incident started at 7:19 a.m. when officers were dispatched to the Circle K at 3901 SW Archer Rd. to the report of an adult male who was behaving abnormally, punching the air and trying car door handles. The responding officers warned the male for trespassing on behalf of Circle K.
Around 12:25 p.m., another employee from the same Circle K called to report an adult male causing a disturbance. The employee said it was the same male who was warned for trespassing earlier. The suspect was allegedly attempting to gain entry into vehicles and trying to get physical with Circle K staff. GPD officers arrested the man on charges of trespassing without incident at 12:42 p.m.
At 1:16 p.m., the man was taken to jail and, at 1:26 p.m., transported to North Florida Regional Medical Center at 4388 NW 53rd Ave. for a medical evaluation. Approximately an hour later, the man suffered a medical event and died.
According to the GPD release, the circumstances of the event are under investigation and the identity of the prisoner will not be released until his next of kin have been notified of his death.
FDLE is investigating the in-custody death, as per policy and procedures. The case is also being monitored by the GPD’s Internal Affairs Division.