Suspect In Police Shooting Died In Custody

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Police said Sunday they are launching a full investigation into the death of a shooting suspect who allegedly shot and critically wounded a Twin Rivers police officer following a pursuit.

Acting Sacramento Police Chief Dana Matthes said two officers were transporting 32-year-old Tyrone Smith to police headquarters on Freeport Bouleavard just after 11:30 p.m. when they noticed the handcuffed suspect was lying face down and was unresponsive.

The officers pulled over into the parking lot of a Jimboy's Tacos near the intersection of Franklin Boulevard and Fruitridge Road and attempted to revive Smith while calling for medical help, but the man was soon pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Just fifteen minutes earlier, Smith had been taken into custody near the scene of a shooting that nearly killed a 25-year-old rookie officer Saturday afternoon, and witnesses said the suspect appeared to be unharmed and alert at the time.

Smith allegedly shot the officer at least four times and then fled the scene, evading authorities for hours as multiple police agencies joined the massive search for the culprit.

"He was alive and they got him in the car, and after that I don't know what happened," said neighbor Dee Allen.

Acting Chief Matthes said police have not officially determined the cause of death but said their preliminary investigation doesn't show police action was at fault. Smith was taken to the ground twice during his arrest after he tried to escape, but reasonable force was used, Matthes added.

"It was minimal force used to take the suspect into custody, and at this point we believe our officers did nothing wrong," she said.

Smith's family told CBS13 on Sunday that the suspect suffered from severe asthma most of his life but said they don't believe that's what killed him.

"I just want to know what happened. Something went wrong and that's all I want to know," said Letara Brown, Smith's sister.

About 100 people protested in Del Paso Heights on Sunday, saying Smith was innocent until proven guilty and never had a chance to make it to trial.

Authorities expect a definitive cause of death to be established after an autopsy later this week.

The officer who was injured in the shooting is listed in critical but stable condition and is reportedly responsive and joking with family members at the hospital. He is expected to be released early next week at the latest.