Man Dies in Alabama Police Custody After Being Pepper Sprayed
A cause of death was not released.
— -- A man in Alabama died in police custody after he was pepper sprayed by officers.
The Tuscaloosa Police Department said officers were notified Friday night that Anthony Dewayne Ware, wanted for an active "attempting to elude" warrant, was sitting outside a house with a gun. When officers responded to the home, Ware ran into nearby woods, police said.
Officers chased and caught up to him but Ware resisted arrest, police said.
Police said officers used pepper spray on Ware, who "continued to fight with officers" until he was handcuffed. While walking out of the woods, he collapsed and officers began CPR on him.
Ware, 35, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. A cause of death was not released by police.
Ware was not found in possession of a weapon, police said.
Six officers were involved in Ware's arrest, Sgt. Brent Blankley of the Tuscaloosa police said at a news conference today. The officers have not been placed on leave.
The Tuscaloosa County Homicide Unit is investigating. Police said body-cam and dash-cam video of the incident is being reviewed and will be released at a later date.
