Man's Death In Police Custody In Gaithersburg Prompts AG Investigation

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A man's death while being detained by Gaithersburg Police on Christmas Eve is being investigated by the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, according to a news release.

About 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department were called to an apartment building in the 300 block of North Summit Avenue for a report a man was causing a disturbance.

Police found a man covered in blood lying on the ground in front of an apartment. Authorities said he was conscious, and acting erratically.

As he walked away from the building, officers grabbed the man, placed him on the ground, and held him while waiting for fire and rescue personnel to arrive.

While police restrained him, the man became unconscious and stopped breathing. Officers began emergency medical aid until fire and rescue units took over care, and took the man to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Thursday.

The IID will generally release the name of the decedent and involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary, a news release from the attorney general's office said. Body-worn camera footage is typically released within 20 business days of an incident.