EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The death of the 30-year-old man who had a confrontation with El Paso Police officers last month along Interstate 10 was ruled as a homicide, according to the autopsy report obtained by KTSM.
Xavier Guadalupe Hernandez’s cause of death was asphyxia due to chest compression during law enforcement subdual and restraint. A contributing factor was cocaine toxicity, according to the autopsy report.
It stated Hernandez became unresponsive while he was being held face down by officers who then used a stun gun more than once.
The autopsy revealed multiple abrasions, contusions, and puncture marks on his body.
Toxicology revealed benzoylecgonine, cocaine, and ecgonine methyl ester.
Benzoylecgonine is an inactive metabolite and chemical breakdown product of cocaine. Ecgonine Methyl Ester is also formed by cocaine, according to the report.
As KTSM 9 News previously reported, at about 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, officers responded to a pedestrian on a roadway along I-10 near Yarbrough, according to police.
Police said Hernandez attempted to jump over a barrier on the highway, and when officers arrived, he became uncooperative and resisted commands.
A stun gun was deployed and was ineffective, police said.
Police said an officer and a witness helped to subdue Hernandez, who became unresponsive, and officers performed CPR on him.
Hernandez was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, despite efforts to revive him, according to police.
El Paso Police will hold a press conference at 3:30 on Wednesday, regarding the autopsy report. KTSM 9 News will be at the press conference and will live stream it on this story.
Read: Read More