A 39-year-old died in Missoula police custody on Wednesday afternoon, according to a news release from the department issued Wednesday evening.
Missoula police were sent to a structure fire at about 1:30 p.m. The fire was suspected to be the result of a criminal act, the MPD news release stated. The blaze was at the 2400 block of Dixon Avenue.
When officers arrived, they tried to detain a man related to the investigation.
“The male was uncooperative and resisted arrest. After a prolonged physical altercation, the male became unresponsive,” the release stated.
The news release didn’t provide more detail on what the “physical altercation” entailed. A call to a spokesperson for MPD was unanswered on Wednesday evening.
Officers administered Narcan to the man (a nasal spray to counteract opioid overdoses), performed CPR and also deployed an Automated External Defibrillator until medical personnel arrived. The man died on scene, according to the release.
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The Missoula Police Department requested the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation investigate the incident, which is standard when someone dies in law enforcement custody in Montana.
The involved officers were placed on administrative leave, per MPD’s policy, the release stated.
“We are committed to being open and transparent throughout this investigation and the Missoula Police Department will provide updates to the community as more information becomes available,” the release said, adding MPD is fully cooperating with the DCI.
Zoë Buchli is the criminal justice reporter for the Missoulian.
