Authorities Monday publicly identified a man who suffered a medical crisis and died two weeks ago after an altercation with deputies arresting him on suspicion of public intoxication in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
Patrol personnel responding to a report of a shoeless and shirtless man crawling around a parking lot in the 800 block of Birmingham Drive at about 11:55 p.m. March 2 took Abdul Kamara, 29, into custody on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the San Diego Police Department, which investigates in-custody deaths involving the county Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies Alejandro Aguilera and Tyler Phillips drove Kamara to Vista Detention Facility, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said. Before being taken out of the lawmen’s cruiser, the suspect allegedly “began throwing himself against the interior of the (vehicle), causing injury to his face,” and managed to move his cuffed hands from behind his back to the front of his body, the lieutenant said.
The deputies then removed Kamara from the car, called in a paramedic to treat him, sat him down on a bench and repositioned his handcuffs to their proper orientation, according to police.
“Shortly after that, (Kamara) stood up and then began kicking and flailing against deputies trying to control him,” Campbell said.
After deputies subdued him and put him into full-body restraint gear, Kamara passed out and stopped breathing, Campbell said. Paramedics began lifesaving measures and transported the suspect to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His cause of death remains under investigation, the lieutenant said.
Several hours before his arrest, Kamara had asked a person at a restaurant on Carlsbad Village Drive to call an ambulance for him, and paramedics took him to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas for an evaluation. A short time later, a staffer at the medical center called the Sheriff’s Department to report that Kamara had walked away from the hospital before being released.
“Deputies responded but were unable to locate (him) at that time,” Campbell said.
The sheriff’s personnel who took part in efforts to get Kamara under control at the jail have been identified as Deputies Carlos Heard, Derrick Jones and Travis Kaapke, and Cpl. Christopher Aberle.
After the SDPD Homicide Unit completes its investigation into Kamara’s death, the case will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the involved personnel bear any criminal liability for their actions.
Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department will conduct an internal investigation, the county Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board will review the incident, and the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor the investigation, according to police.
City News Service contributed to this article.