Man Dies After Being Arrested by Denver Police

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Man Who Died After Arrest by Denver Police Had Fled Ambulance, Authorities Say

An incident that occurred in the early morning of November 15 at an apartment building near 14th Avenue and Speer Boulevard in Denver has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was arrested by Denver police officers. According to the Denver Police Department (DPD), the man had actually gotten out of an ambulance and ran away from paramedics just moments before his arrest.

DPD Major Crimes Division Commander Matt Clark provided further details during a press conference held on Wednesday. It was revealed that at approximately 11:55 p.m. on November 14, dispatch received a call from an individual who appeared to be rambling and yelling. The caller, who believed he was experiencing a heart attack, abruptly hung up. Consequently, firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the scene to provide assistance.

Around two minutes later, dispatch received another call from a security officer at the nearby King Soopers supermarket on 14th Avenue and Speer Boulevard. The security officer reported that a man at the location claimed someone was chasing or attempting to rob him. Paramedics quickly arrived at the scene and managed to help the man into an ambulance. However, the man was reportedly uncooperative with medical personnel and eventually fled the ambulance on foot.

As the firefighters were leaving the scene, they witnessed the man throwing a rock at the glass entry door of a building located at 1391 Speer Blvd, causing damage to the glass. Consequently, they immediately requested police assistance.

Upon the arrival of a police officer, the man was observed standing in front of the business. However, upon seeing the officer, the man fled on foot and the officer did not pursue him.

The situation took a turn when a security officer at an apartment complex located at 901 14th Ave. called 911 at 12:16 a.m. The security officer reported that the man had just broken a ground-floor window and attempted to enter the building. Despite the efforts of two security guards to prevent him from entering, the man managed to push past them and make his way through a set of double doors. At this point, the security guards wrestled the man to the ground.

According to Clark, the man began physically assaulting one of the guards by punching and biting him. In an effort to subdue the man, one of the guards delivered a punch in return.

Police officers arrived at the scene at approximately 12:20 a.m. and found the security guards still struggling to restrain the man. The officers proceeded to handcuff the man and roll him onto his side while conducting a search for weapons. It was during this time that they noticed the man was unresponsive and having difficulty breathing. In response, they requested the immediate return of paramedics.

Unfortunately, the man stopped breathing and officers began performing CPR. Naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, was also administered, but it had no apparent effect. The man was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on the morning of November 16. He was later identified as James Hutchinson, 36. The coroner’s office is currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death.

Clark revealed that three officers were involved in the arrest and rendering aid to Hutchinson. Due to the nature of the officers’ interaction with Hutchinson and his subsequent cardiac arrest while in custody, the DPD initiated its critical incident investigation protocol. Multiple agencies are now involved in the investigation to ensure a comprehensive examination of the case.

This incident has once again raised concerns about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the circumstances surrounding the arrest and subsequent death of individuals in police custody. The Denver community awaits further updates and information as the investigation progresses..