Questions surround canceled EMS call in Sarasota arrestee's death; man complained of asthma

Published May 03, 2016

Officials are investigating why an ambulance was called off by Sarasota Police for a man who complained of having an asthma attack while being taken into custody. The man, who police hit twice with a Taser, later died in a hospital.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1EXWkmr) police pulled over 33-year-old John Kaafi late Wednesday for a non-working tag light about 60 miles south of Tampa. Police said Kaafi acted suspiciously so they detained him. Kaafi complained of an asthma attack while being handcuffed so they called for an ambulance before later cancelling it.

Police said they searched his car and discovered cocaine and spice, a designer drug.

Police said Kaafi tried to escape out of the police car's window and was hit twice with a Taser. Kaafi was then transported to the jail, where he again complained of an asthma attack and was taken to a hospital. He died Friday morning.

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Information from: Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, http://www.heraldtribune.com

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/questions-surround-canceled-ems-call-in-sarasota-arrestees-death-man-complained-of-asthma