Las Vegas man, Tashii S. Farmer‘s official cause of death has been determined to be “asphyxia” due to “police restraint procedures,” Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg said in a statement.
Farmer, 40, died in Las Vegas after an incident involving police outside the Venetian hotel-casino. Officials say that, while attempting to make contact with Farmer he took off running and attempted to steal a pickup truck. Officers say they were then forced to deploy their Taser.
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Fudenberg stated: “The autopsy determined the cause of death to be asphyxia due to police restraint procedures and other significant conditions included methamphetamine intoxication and cardiomegaly. The manner of death is ruled homicide.”
Asphyxia is a condition when the body is deprived of oxygen while cardiomegaly is an enlarged heart.
Investigators say that METRO police officer Kenneth Lopera, may have applied a rear naked choke to Farmer. The technique is not approved by Las Vegas police.