KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department.
Just after 6:30pm Thursday, two KCPD officers were working off-duty security at Walmart in the 8500 block of N Boardwalk Avenue, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.
.At that time the officers took a man into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted the subject to the security office. While the man was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.
Officers attempted to get the man to spit the object out but he refused. The man began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.
Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.
He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. KCPD Detectives responded for a death investigation and worked with crime scene investigators to process the scene.