Man facing drug and gun charges dies in police custody
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man died while in custody after the Wilmington Police Department preformed a search warrant on Thursday.
According to the police, Wilmington Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in the 1200 block of South 8th Street.
The warrant was the result of a months-long investigation into Lavar Wright, 41, who was a convicted felon and was allegedly known to carry a firearm and sell narcotics out of the residence, including crack cocaine.
During the search warrant, flash bangs were deployed on the outside of the house.
The occupants of the house were “loud hailed” from the outside to exit the house with their hands raised. A woman exited the house and was detained.
Wright exited the house and was compliant, he was placed in handcuffs and arrested.
He was allowed to sit in a chair on the front porch. Officers seized a 9mm handgun and drug paraphernalia during the search.
A short time later, Wright experienced a medical emergency while on the porch. Detectives on scene immediately called for EMS over the radio and rendered aid. Once EMS arrived, officers and paramedics were able to get him into the ambulance for transport to the hospital.
A short time later, investigators were notified that Wright had died.
According to law, Mr. Wright’s death is defined as an in-custody death. In the interest of prudence, Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams has requested the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to review the incident.
