Caddo Parish Coroner Doctor Todd Thoma says a 44-year-old man died of natural causes while in the custody of the Shreveport Police Department on April 6, but his death could have been preventable. Thoma says Tommie McGlothen Junior died from excited delirium.
“Excited delirium is a medical emergency. It’s found in people with psychiatric histories and people with stimulant use,” said Thoma.
Authorities say police officers used tasers, mace, and nightsticks to control McGlothen, who also fought with another citizen before law enforcement arrived. Thoma says McGlothen’s death could have possibly prevented, but he was left in the back of a patrol vehicle for 48 minutes.
“So he died actually of a natural disease, the natural disease being excited delirium, but it was a preventable disease because he needed early and quick medical care,” said Thoma.
Thoma says the autopsy showed McGothen suffered multiple blunt force injuries from his confrontations with police and citizens, but his injuries were minor. But He says a violent confrontation with psychotic behavior can trigger excited delirium and he should have received medical care
“Police have a tendency to believe that that is just their psychiatric condition that is causing that problem and treat them as such and its not at all. It’s a medical condition and it can be rapidly fatal,” said Thoma.
Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond says the four officers involved in McGlothen’s arrest are on departmental leave and State Police is reviewing the case.
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