A man reported by his family to be suffering from mental illness died Thursday after being detained by police officers in Whittier.
The death occurred shortly before 2 p.m. in the 7900 block of Ocean View Avenue, according to Deputy Caroline Rodriguez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
"Detectives have learned that Whittier police officers responded to the 14400 block of Tedemory Drive ... regarding a male adult suffering from a mental illness who was refusing to go to a mental hospital," Rodriguez said. "The male ran away from his residence prior to the arrival of officers."
A family member followed the man and detained him about a mile away, according to the deputy.
"Upon arrival of officers, the male attempted to jump over a fence that led toward a water reservoir," Rodriguez said. "Officers used control holds to restrain and handcuff the male."
The man soon became unconscious, and officers began life-saving measures, she said. Paramedics arrived and took the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Rodriguez said.
No officers were injured.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
The man's name and age were not immediately released. Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives were assisting Whittier police in the death investigation.
