Man dies during altercation with West Melbourne officers at Publix, police say

WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — A death investigation is underway after a 46-year-old man died during an altercation with police inside a Publix, according to the West Melbourne Police Department.

Police were called to the Publix on West New Haven Avenue about 10:40 a.m. Monday for a report of a man acting “erratically,” police said.

They asked the man to leave, and he did, but returned to the store again, police said.

Police said the man was being uncooperative and a physical altercation ensued. Cellphone video from a witness showed police deploying a Taser on the man and taking him down.

An officer can be seen on top of the man as he tells him to relax.

About a minute and 27 seconds into the video, the man appears to lose consciousness.

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The video goes on as officers begin CPR.

“You know, sometimes people have medical problems and they act out because of that. So, it’s hard to say what happened to the gentleman,” said shopper Katy Stapor.

The unidentified man was taken to a hospital, where he died. 
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and two officers were placed on leave.

No other details were released.

Cox Media Group