SAN ANTONIO – A man died at the Bexar County Jail following an apparent medical episode after an altercation with deputies during the booking process, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Balcones Heights police arrested Emmanuel Mora, 37, and took him to the jail Sunday night.
During the intake process, Mora was patted down and had his narcotics warrant verified by deputies before becoming agitated and refusing to be searched further, BCSO stated in a press release.
Deputies attempted to put Mora in handcuffs, but he refused and kicked deputies while they tried to restrain him, according to the sheriff’s office.
Booking deputies requested further assistance, as well as a medical staff.
Deputies with the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) responded to the call and used their Taser on Mora. He later calmed down and was seated for medical evaluation, BCSO said.
Mora then again became combative with staff members, and a deputy placed him on the ground before handcuffing him.
A short time later, Mora was unresponsive. BCSO said medical staff members began administering Narcan and lifesaving CPR measures before giving him two more doses of the drug used to reverse overdoses.
Mora was pronounced dead shortly after EMS took over lifesaving measures for jail staff.
“Preliminarily, it appears that the inmate suffered from a medical episode exacerbated by preexisting substance use, however, the medical examiner’s office will determine the exact cause of death,” the BCSO press release stated.
BCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division, Internal Affairs and Public Integrity Unit will investigate the in-custody death. Karnes County Sheriff’s Office will also open an investigation per the Sandra Bland Act.