Authorities today identified a man who died after struggling with Long Beach police officers, who used a Taser on him.
Officers were dispatched about 1:20 a.m. Monday to a home in the 100 block of Santa Ana Avenue, where the man was heard yelling and acting violently, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
Stephen Cherry, 50, of Long Beach died at a hospital, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office reported. An autopsy was pending. `
“Arriving officers observed a male subject who appeared to be alone inside his residence, yelling and breaking items, and with multiple lacerations on his body,” according to a police statement.
“The subject was bleeding profusely, possibly from cuts sustained while breaking out windows. Based on the officer’s observations, they believed the subject was in an altered state and in need of medical assistance. Due to his erratic behavior and injuries sustained, officers requested Long Beach Fire Department paramedics respond to the scene to stand by, ready to provide aid.”
Officers tried to detain the man when he exited his home and used a Taser on him when he refused to comply with their commands and began struggling with them, police said.