New details are emerging after a man died while in the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in San Elizario on Friday night, an incident that is now under investigation by multiple agencies.
Deputies responded to a welfare check Friday afternoon and made contact with 46-year-old Roel Contreras, officials said.
Within minutes, deputies said Contreras became unresponsive.
The incident happened just before 5 p.m. Friday on the 12000 block of Campo Bayo in San Elizario.
Deputies said residents called 911 after seeing a man running and screaming through the neighborhood.
Commander Jerome Washington of the sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division said Contreras “was yelling and screaming, climbing into yards of some of the owners, as well as trying to make entry into some of the properties.”
Deputies said they found Contreras in a nearby field in San Elizario.
They described him as partially unclothed and appearing incoherent.
Washington said that as deputies approached to conduct the welfare check, Contreras “became combative as they were speaking with him, and they had to place restraints on him.” Washington added, “But this was done with minimal force, no issues at all.”
Officials said Contreras lost consciousness after he was restrained.
Washington said that “as the deputies escorted the male subject to a more shaded area to wait for medical services, he became unresponsive.”
“Immediately, the deputies began life-saving measures. They performed CPR,” Washington said.
He said medical personnel arrived within minutes, continued CPR, and transported Contreras to Del Sol Medical Center.
Washington said, “No tasers, no weapons, or any use of force was deployed other than just placing restraints on him.”
Multiple agencies are investigating, including the Texas Rangers, as required in any in-custody death.
Officials said many details remain unclear as they wait for autopsy results.
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“Now, as regards any intoxication or any substance abuse or anything like that with narcotics, we will not know the results of that until the investigation by the medical examiner’s office is complete, which could take several weeks,” Washington said.
Washington added, “Any loss of life is unfortunate. You know, sometimes it is unavoidable,” and called it “a very traumatic event for everyone involved.”
The sheriff’s office said the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
The investigation remains ongoing, and more information is expected to be released.
Man dies after deputies respond to disturbance, arrest him in San Elizario
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