Over the years, I have read a number of similar stories where individuals with medical conditions perished after being sprayed (or first restrained then doused) with OC.
Jeff
Man Doused With Pepper Spray Dies
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- A man with a history of heart trouble died Saturday after being doused with pepper spray by a hospital security officer, authorities said.
Willie E. Simmons, 57, was barred by a court order from the grounds of the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, where his estranged wife works. When he showed up at the hospital early Saturday, four security staffers followed him to a nearby Comfort Inn, where he scuffled with the officers and was pepper sprayed, said Winston-Salem police Lt. Fred Jones.
Attempts to resuscitate Simmons failed and he died later at the hospital. An autopsy is being performed.
Simmons recently had a heart attack and underwent heart surgery, said his brother, Benjamin Simmons.
''If he got away, they should have let him go on about his business,'' Benjamin Simmons said. ''That makes me mad.''
Hospital spokeswoman Karen Richardson said security officers followed Simmons because other medical center offices are near the hotel. Officers also wanted to warn hotel employees about Simmons, and alert police to his whereabouts.
''The officers followed proper procedure ... but they had to defend themselves at some point and use pepper spray,'' she said.
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
Jeff
Man Doused With Pepper Spray Dies
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- A man with a history of heart trouble died Saturday after being doused with pepper spray by a hospital security officer, authorities said.
Willie E. Simmons, 57, was barred by a court order from the grounds of the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, where his estranged wife works. When he showed up at the hospital early Saturday, four security staffers followed him to a nearby Comfort Inn, where he scuffled with the officers and was pepper sprayed, said Winston-Salem police Lt. Fred Jones.
Attempts to resuscitate Simmons failed and he died later at the hospital. An autopsy is being performed.
Simmons recently had a heart attack and underwent heart surgery, said his brother, Benjamin Simmons.
''If he got away, they should have let him go on about his business,'' Benjamin Simmons said. ''That makes me mad.''
Hospital spokeswoman Karen Richardson said security officers followed Simmons because other medical center offices are near the hotel. Officers also wanted to warn hotel employees about Simmons, and alert police to his whereabouts.
''The officers followed proper procedure ... but they had to defend themselves at some point and use pepper spray,'' she said.
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating.