Tuscaloosa police investigate suspect’s death after pepper spraying

Assistant Police Chief Ronnie Dunn says Ware began experiencing trouble breathing while walking out of the woods.

On Friday night at 9:19 p.m., Tuscaloosa police responded to a call of a suspect with an active warrant for attempting to elude sitting on the front porch of a residence at the Crescent East Apartments.

Although deaths related to the employment of pepper spray are not widely covered in the media, a U.S. Justice Department study mentioned at least 73 reported cases involving somebody who died after being pepper-sprayed by the police.

Police identified the deceased as 35-year-old Anthony Dewayne Ware.

Fox 6 reports police do have video footage of the arrest and plan to release it when investigators complete their review. The caller told officials the suspect was armed with a gun. Officers sprayed the suspect with oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray and were able to handcuff him, even as he continued to resist arrest, Blankley said.

He said police caught up with the suspect in the woods and he resisted arrest.

Officers on the scene began to administer CPR and called for medical personnel.

Ware, 35, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. None of them are on leave. She says Ware’s brother was allowed to ride to the hospital with him.

The Tuscaloosa County Homicide Unit is now investigating. Sgt.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT)- A death investigation is underway after a suspect died while being in police custody in Tuscaloosa.