By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 31-year-old Bahamian who died in Connecticut over the weekend was visiting relatives the week police shot him twice with a stun gun, according to international reports.
New details about Lashano J Gilbert were reported yesterday by an American newspaper as Connecticut police continue to investigate his death.
Mr Gilbert had been arrested over an attempted carjacking around 7pm Friday, but died early Saturday after police used a Taser on him following an extended struggle at police headquarters.
Reports say Mr Gilbert suffered a “medical condition” while being taken to a hospital and could not be revived.
The newspaper The Day Connecticut reported yesterday that Mr Gilbert arrived in New London, Connecticut, last week Thursday, surprising family members in that city who were not expecting him.
Mr Gilbert, who grew up in the Bahamas, is said to have graduated from a medical school in Cuba and was fluent in multiple languages. He was in the process of upgrading his medical license in Canada, according to the report.
Albertha Fletcher, his aunt with whom he stayed in Connecticut, was shocked by the details of his final hours.
According to the newspaper report, Mr Gilbert seemed “stressed” about his medical license, but did not have, to relatives’ knowledge, any criminal history, addictions, mental illnesses or other problems that they felt would result in the reported violent struggle he had with police.
Mr Gilbert’s family in Connecticut said they are trying to give police the benefit of the doubt, but remain sceptical about the reports over his death.
On Friday, Mr Gilbert jumped through the open window of a woman’s car as she was driving, NBC Connecticut reported.
It is claimed that when police responded to the woman’s 911 call, he “resisted arrest, telling them he was hearing voices while yelling and acting aggressively.”
He was Tasered during his arrest.
He was reportedly taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment before being taken to the police station.
According to NBC Connecticut, police said while he was in his holding cell, “he removed his pants and began twisting them, as if to make a rope.”
Police tried to take Gilbert’s pants away, however, officers claim that he then lunged at them.
“Gilbert then rushed the door and escaped into the common booking area where he threw objects, including an intoximeter, at officers. A struggle ensued before an officer used a Taser on him,” NBC Connecticut reported.
Gilbert was reportedly unresponsive as officers took him to a nearby hospital and died around 3:30am Saturday.
Comments
PKMShack 10 years ago
that's a lot of information, almost all U.S. jails have cameras so it all should be on tape. Maybe he was hearing voices, hopefully they don't investigate like we do in our country. Let's hold them accountable like we do with our police dept. don't ask any more from the U.S. because we ask no more from our Bahamian Police in our own country.
AJC 10 years ago
We right here in Ct by New London man. From the word on da street It seems like this was a good guy but he was partyin' too hard on rum or self meds after he got here and was not in his right mind is what cause him to fight the police. Which I believe to more than likely to be true as the Cops here doone seem dodgey.
John 10 years ago
According to the newspaper report, Mr Gilbert seemed “stressed” about his medical license, but did not have, to relatives’ knowledge, any criminal history, addictions, mental illnesses or other problems that they felt would result in the reported violent struggle he had with police. he lost it and the police killed him..same thing happen here not to long ago.
SP 10 years ago
Below is a classic example of police brutality in NYC.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/0…
No resistance by the black kid.......Just running while black!
DEDDIE 10 years ago
Come Folks!
You expect the police to say, we acted in an overly aggressive manner which resulted in the death of an innocent man. We are truly sorry for this crime against the good doctor. Lets exam the report, 7pm is a bit early for someone to be drunk in most cases. To pass medical school and also learn several language requires a high degree of discipline. We are not talking about some street hoodlum. I would exam this one closely.
PKMShack 10 years ago
according to this article every step of the way he was a problem, unless everyone in the story is lying.
ChaosObserver 10 years ago
if he was doing crime, he deserved to get stunned....if ya aint' willing to do the time, don't do the crime....maybe this could happen here more often but he police.....teach these idiots how to act...
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