Body Camera Footage Shows Alexandria Police In-Custody Death Unfold

Editor's note: Discretion is advised due to the disturbing nature of the content.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Body camera footage was released by Alexandria police Friday in the Aug. 15 in-custody death of a Woodbridge man. Allan F. Tucker II, 32, died while in booking at the Alexandria jail.

Police had responded to the 2800 block of North Beauregard Street around 5:07 p.m. on Aug. 15 after multiple 911 calls about a man running up and down the apartment hallways, screaming and knocking on doors.

Tucker was in a sally port entryway in the jail and had not completed intake when he died in police custody. Police Chief Tarrick McGuire says Tucker was not armed, and there was no use of force by officers.

The cause and manner of Tucker's death have not yet been released by the medical examiner.

The police department released all body camera footage coverage, from the response to the apartment building to the unsuccessful attempt to revive Tucker. McGuire said he met with Tucker's family Thursday and shared the body camera footage with them before the release to the public.

"This past week has been an incredibly difficult time for our police department, our community, and most importantly, for the family of Allan Tucker II," said McGuire in a statement. "We ask for patience as we navigate this investigation. We are committed to a full and transparent review of this incident. That means following the facts wherever they lead, carefully examining all available evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assessing officer actions in accordance with departmental policy and the law."

Body Worn Camera Footage Documents Police Response, In Custody Death

SEE BODY CAMERA VIDEO: Viewer discretion is advised.

In the body camera footage, officers encountered Tucker in the first floor hallway. Tucker told officers numerous times that he believed someone with a gun is inside his residence and asked if he's under arrest. Tucker was not referring to his father, who was in a wheelchair and whom Tucker served as caretaker for. Officers looked around the unit, but do not find the person with a gun Tucker claims is behind his father.

According to police, the father said Tucker had left home, returned 45 minutes ago and was acting erratically. The father told officers that Tucker had no known mental health conditions.

After attempts to de-escalate, officers arrested Tucker for public intoxication. When officers placed Tucker in a police cruiser, he repeatedly said the officers were trying to kill him. He told the driving female officer she had a gun in her hand, but the video shows the officer did not have a gun in her hands at the time.

Before the transport, Tucker asked to speak to a sergeant and for officers to turn their cameras on. The female officer who transported Tucker had her body camera recording the entire incident.

The drive to the Alexandria jail began at 6:01 p.m., and GPS tracking showed the estimated route while the body camera footage was recording. Officers asked dispatch to notify the Alexandria sheriff's office that a disorderly person would be arriving at the jail.

At one point, Tucker asked to go to the Alexandria hospital, which the vehicle passed on its route to the jail. McGuire said the investigation includes what led to the officer's decision to continue to the Alexandria jail, which has medical staff on hand.

"It is acknowledged that he saw the hospital, which is what I believe based on the GPS tracking system and him saying take me to the Alexandria hospital," said McGuire. "I believe that our goal should be to give the person the medical aid that they require or ask for at the desired time. There were two options available, and I want to understand better what the officer's thought process is."

At 6:11 p.m., the police cruiser arrived at the jail. Police officers notified the jail staff about bringing in Tucker two minutes later. However, McGuire said the jail was at a shift change. The officers checked multiple times, but the body camera footage showed they held Tucker in the vehicle for over a half hour.

Tucker can be heard yelling in the police cruiser, but at one point he goes silent. One of the officers looked in the vehicle several times after he stops yelling. At 6:43 p.m., the officers again check in with sheriff's deputies, and a sheriff's employee tells them to turn off the police cruiser one minute later.

At 6:51 p.m., an officer noticed Tucker was unresponsive. Officers called for medical aid, and Alexandria sheriff's deputies and medical staff arrived and provided CPR and administered Narcan. Paramedics arrived at 7 p.m. but were unable to revive Tucker. McGuire said Tucker suffered an unknown medical emergency while in the police cruiser.

What's Next for the Investigation

Police are withholding the names of the involved officers "due to safety precautions." The two directly involved officers are serving administrative duties and are off regular patrol duty pending investigations. According to McGuire, several threats against officers have been made due to the case.

The regional Critical Incident Response Team made up of other regional law enforcement is investigating the in-custody death. Alexandria Police's Office of Professional Responsibility will also conduct an administrative investigation of departmental policy. The police chief said the city's independent police auditor who reports to the mayor and City Council also responded to the incident and will be reviewing the case.

McGuire said the involved officers are "distraught" and "had no malicious intent in the process of this call."

"I ask you not only to keep the Tucker family in your thoughts and prayers but keep [the police officers] in your thoughts and prayers, because no one wins in this situation," said McGuire.