S.M.A.R.T. Team Investigates Death of Inmate Who Fought With Jailers in Everett

Detectives with the Snohomish Multi Agency Response Team, known as S.M.A.R.T. are investigating the death of a 60-year-old man from Concrete, WA who Everett Police booked into the Snohomish County Jail last night on a theft charge. Everett Police Officer Aaron Snell, working as the spokesperson for the S.M.A.R.T. team tells MyEverettNews.com that Everett Police arrested the man after a shoplifting complaint at the 76 Gas station at 36th and Broadway around 9:30 last night. Everett Police turned the man over to jailers and while dealing with jailers the man reportedly became combative and actively resisted jail staff and was put into an isolation room. According to Snell, during a check on the man, jail staff noticed he was distressed and performed CPR. The Everett Fire Department was called to assist. Ultimately, the male died. Snell says jailers did use a Taser on the man during the time he was resisting them. Snell also told MyEverettNews.com that the man was cooperative with Everett Officers and no officers from the Everett Police Department are under investigation.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the man and will determine cause and manner of death.

Snell says the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) initiated an investigation into the death which is standard procedure for incidences of a death while in police custody. Jailers at the Snohomish County Jail are employees of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office which took over jail operations in January of 2009. This is the 4th death of an inmate in custody at the Snohomish County Jail in the last 11 months.