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Updated: 3:16 PM Mar 12, 2010
Suspect Dies after Attempt to Swallow Bag of Pot, FDLE Investigates
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of a local man who died while Bay County Sheriff's deputies were trying to arrest him.
Posted: 4:09 PM Mar 11, 2010Reporter: Meredith TerHaar Email Address: Meredith.terhaar@wjhg.com |
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Panama City Beach- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of a local man who died while Bay County Sheriff's deputies were trying to arrest him. The death of 23-year-old Andrew Grande is devastating for his friends and family. But it was also traumatic for the deputies and the camera crew riding along with them as the responded to a disturbance call early Friday morning.
Just after 2AM Friday deputies responded to a disturbance call at the Executive Inn on front beach road. They say Grande pushed a female friend. A camera crew from Zoo Productions filmed what happened when deputies arrived. When one of the deputies tried to arrest him they say he resisted and stuffed something in his mouth. That's when at least one of the deputies shot him with a taser. They say he pulled the taser probes out of his body, that's when deputies noticed he was choking.
Deputies performed the Hiemlich maneuver but could not dislodge the item. By the time EMS arrived, he was unconscious. One of the paramedics pulled a large bag of marijuana from his throat. He was pronounced dead at Bay Medical Center. "It's a tragic situation for our officers, a tragic situation for this young man and his family. What started out to be a simple disturbance call, could have been handled by compliance by this individual, simply giving the officers the marijuana," explained Sheriff Frank McKeithen.
Had he done that Grande would have most likely faced misdemeanor charges. "Instead he pretty much ended up taking his own life by ingesting this item that was stuck in his throat. He therefore, in front of these deputies, dies and there is nothing they can do. It's a horrible situation for them, a horrible situation for us and a horrible situation for his family," said McKeithen All three of the deputies who responded are now on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Latest Comments
What a horrible way to die. And for people to say thyat he was a bad person without even knowing him is sick. Everyone on this earth makes mistakes but most are just not caught. I know several people who knew Andrew and they all said the same thing about him, he was a sweet guy who was funny, tender-hearted and would do anything to help you out. Give his poor family a break and let him rest in peace. I wonder what makes so many people think that they are GOD?
I am Andrew's mother and first I want to tell you that one 4 minute video does not sum up what a person is all about! My son was a very loving and giving person, he made mistakes yes (who hasn't) and for all you low lifes to write such nasty things about my son I bet you done worse then he ever did! And to Meredith if only you knew how much this has hurt the family and friends of Andrew for you to make a show of his last 4 minutes of life why don't you contact me so you can know the real Andrew the one that would do anything for anyone to make their life happier, the one that Loved his family more than life itself. You will one day see how it feels to have someone do this to you as I beleive what comes around goes around! May not be the same scenerio but when it happens you will think of My son and how you did his family and friends wrong by allowing this video! This is a violation of HIPPA and I am gonig to seek justice! From Andrew's Mom
another reason why marijuana should be legal. if it was then this guy would have never had a reason to try and swallow the bag. sorry for this guy and his family they should sue the police and the county for this and make an example of them.and what about the taser if he wouldn't have been shot with the taser then maybe this wouldn't be on here. I would say that the taser is what made him choke on the bag and the officer should be held responsable for this and be charged with manslaughter. And why the taser to begin with there was three officers and if they cant arrest a guy then maybe they shouldn't be on the force to begin with. i don't know about you but if a guy was going to try and kill me i sure wouldn't want these cops try and stopping him cause i just might die anyways
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