Death of Tyrone West

rdf:langString Death of Tyrone West

rdf:langString Cardiac arrhythmia, dehydration, positional asphyxia

rdf:langString Tyrone West

rdf:langString Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

rdf:langString Kitmore Road and Kelway Road

rdf:langString New Northwood neighborhood

rdf:langString Death of Tyrone West

rdf:langString Death while in police custody

rdf:langString none

rdf:langString David Fowler

rdf:langString On July 18, 2013, Tyrone West, a 44-year-old African American male, was pursued by two officers of the Baltimore Police Department after he fled a traffic stop during which cocaine was allegedly found. The cocaine later went missing in police possession after a subpoena was issued. West was on parole at the time of this incident with an extensive criminal record including assault, resisting arrest, and attempted first-degree murder. West ultimately died during the scuffle with police and various medical experts have given conflicting assessments of contributing factors including cardiac arrhythmia, dehydration, positional asphyxia, and extreme environmental temperatures. The incident fueled tension in the North Baltimore community, playing a contributing factor in the eventual Baltimore riots of 2015. The death of West drew attention from notable African American leaders including U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and celebrity Charles Barkley. Three separate investigations, both internal and external, repeatedly exonerated the officers involved, but a series of police actions were identified that negatively impacted the encounter. The incident, and subsequent recommendations made by an independent panel, encouraged the police department to make significant procedural changes.