Death In Custody Investigation – 3600 Block of Fulton Avenue

MEDIA ADVISORY/NEWS RELEASE

This is a summary of facts known at this time. As the investigation progresses, new information may become available.

On November 16, 2024, Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to a call of a woman trespassing on private property in the 3600 Block of Fulton Avenue. Private security reported that she had been on the property for several days. Sacramento Police officers issued her a written notice of trespass.

On November 17, 2024, just after 7:00 a.m., officers responded to the same location regarding the same woman. Private security reported that she was inside of a vehicle in the parking lot and was still refusing to leave. Officers contacted the woman and told her that she needed to leave the property. She indicated that she was having vehicle issues, so officers requested a tow to assist her. Officers left the scene once the tow was requested.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., an officer returned and found the woman still on the property. The woman had declined assistance from the tow company that was called earlier. For nearly an hour, the officer asked the woman to leave the property and offered transportation and shelter options, however she repeatedly declined to accept assistance or leave the property.

The officer placed the woman under arrest for trespassing. Following a brief struggle, she was handcuffed, placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, and became unresponsive. The officer asked for medical assistance for the woman and the Sacramento Metro Fire Department responded. The female was transported to an area hospital where she remained for medical treatment. On November 24, 2024, the female was pronounced deceased.

Due to the female having a medical emergency while being detained by our officers, the department initiated a death-in-custody investigation. Detectives are in the early stages of this investigation.

The Sacramento County Coroner's Office will release the identity of the deceased after next of kin have been notified.

This incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department's Homicide unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office are providing oversight by monitoring the investigation. This incident falls under the City Council policy on video release. As a result, all pertinent video and audio associated with this incident will be released to the public within 30 days.

The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information regarding this investigation to contact the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the free "P3 Tips" smartphone app.