A man who died in Missoula police custody was identified by local authorities on Thursday.
Missoula resident Ross M. Robertson, 39, died on the afternoon of May 29, according to the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office. Robertson was detained for a structure fire investigation, according to information sent out by the Missoula Police Department. The fire was reported at the 2400 block of Dixon Avenue.
His cause of death hasn’t been determined by investigators yet, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.
“The male was uncooperative and resisted arrest. After a prolonged physical altercation, the male became unresponsive,” the initial news release from MPD stated.
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The news release didn’t provide more detail on what the “physical altercation” entailed. Officers administered naloxone 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.
A statement from the DCI Administrator Bryan Lockerby said Robertson might have suffered a “medical event” during the incident.
“Initial indicators are that the subject was agitated and combative while engaged with police at the fire scene,” Lockerby said. “One factor being considered is that he may have suffered a medical event during the encounter but until an autopsy, toxicology, and forensics are completed, no conclusion can be drawn this early into the investigation.”
The DCI is investigating the case. A spokesperson for the agency said they’re waiting final examinations and results from an autopsy for Robertson, which is needed before a cause of death is determined.
The Missoula Clerk and Recorder’s Office said a death certificate for Robertson was pending investigation.
MPD officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave.
Zoë Buchli is the education reporter for the Missoulian.
