NLV Police probe man’s death

Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 | 9:51 a.m.

Detectives are investigating the death of a 25-year-old man who was handcuffed and pepper-sprayed by North Las Vegas Police.

Police and medics went to the 2000 block of Hassell Avenue about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday after residents reported a naked man running around the neighborhood, Officer Justin Roberts said. Darryll Hicks appeared to play hide and seek with officers, darting in and out of a house, Roberts said.

He appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, and police subdued him with pepper spray, Roberts said.

"There were no batons, no tasers, no unusual excessive force," he said.

Officers handcuffed the man in order to get him medical care but did not arrest him, Roberts said. While en route to University Medical Center, he became unresponsive and shortly after arriving, he was pronounced dead, Roberts said.

Roberts said the officers who were involved are not on paid leave.

A spokeswoman for the Clark County coroner's office said the manner of death will be released when toxicology results are returned, which could take about a month.