News - State
Man who died after struggle had meth in system
Posted: Jun 15, 2012 9:25 AM by AP
HOUMA, La. (AP) - Authorities in Houma say a man who died after a struggle with police at a local Walmart had methamphetamine in his system.
Forty-one-year-old Robert Bonvillian Jr., died after a struggle with police late Saturday.
Preliminary lab tests showed an undetermined amount of the drug was in Bonvillian's system. That information was released Thursday by the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the death, according to The Courier.
Still pending are autopsy results from the Jefferson Parish Forensic Center.
Sheriff's Office officials said they have consulted with the Terrebonne District Attorney's Office during the investigation, which is expected to continue through next week.
Police said the struggle occurred after an officer working a security detail at the store heard a man screaming shortly before midnight Saturday. The officer approached Bonvillian and a fight began.
The officer radioed for backup, and several officers were able to subdue Bonvillian, police said.
One officer sprained his arm while two others' sprained their knees, Duplantis said. He has deferred to the Sheriff's Office to explain exactly how the injuries occurred, which the office has declined to release.
A relative of Bonvillian told The Courier that police informed the family that a Taser stun device was used to detain him. Police have not confirmed that.
Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis said all the officers involved remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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