Phoenix Man Dies After Police Altercation and Hospitalization
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Phoenix Man Dies After Police Altercation and Hospitalization

Authorities investigate the death of 33-year-old Turrell Clay following his arrest in west Phoenix.

The Phoenix Police Department is investigating the death of a man who passed away in the hospital hours after being arrested in a west Phoenix neighborhood, authorities announced.

Turrell Clay, 33, was apprehended on Friday near 43rd Avenue and Osborn Road for an outstanding felony warrant. Before his arrest, Clay reportedly carried a gun and fled onto the roof of a home in the area, police said.

Details of the Altercation

Officers attempted to persuade Clay to come down from the roof, but he refused. “Less lethal tools” were deployed to bring him down, according to Sgt. Robert Scherer. Once off the roof, officers used physical force to restrain and handcuff him.

Paramedics were called to the scene after Clay informed officers that he was having trouble breathing. He was initially taken to a nearby hospital by police and later transferred via private ambulance to a cardiac hospital, where he underwent surgery. Clay did not survive.

Ongoing Investigations

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the cause of Clay’s death. Meanwhile, police detectives are conducting an internal investigation into the incident. A critical incident briefing video will be released within 14 days, as is standard procedure in such cases.

Authorities have not released additional information at this time.