Death Of Miami Police Suspect Under Investigation

MIAMI, FL — Florida law enforcement officials are investigating the death of a 38-year-old man who allegedly brandished a knife at Miami police early Sunday morning. The man died shortly after being taken into custody by Miami officers. The incident happened around 4:40 a.m. at NE 5 Avenue and 79 Street near Biscayne Boulevard.

"The officers were forced to deploy their electronic control devices," Officer Kiara Delva of the Miami Police Department told Patch on Monday. She said that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was handling the death investigation since it involved a person in police custody.

Miami police identified the man as Luis Alberto Luna. Local 10 News said that Luna suffered from schizophrenia, according to a relative.

"Officers observed a man who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and he was acting irrational in the middle of the street," Delva said of the incident. "The subject became combative and produced a knife. The officers were forced to deploy their electronic contol devices." The devices are commonly referred to as stun guns.

The man was taken to North Shore Hospital Medical Center in Miami by Miami Fire Rescue. He was pronounced dead at the hospital about an hour after the incident, according to Delva.

Traffic was closed for a time in both directions at NE 79 Street between NE 4 Court and Biscayne Boulevard.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano