State AG launches probe into death of Bronx man in NYPD custody

<p>New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has launched an investigation into the death of a Bronx man who fell unresponsive in the hands of the NYPD.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 8, 2018, 10:50 AM

Updated 2,269 days ago

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New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has launched an investigation into the death of a Bronx man who fell unresponsive in the hands of the NYPD.
Dwayne Pritchett, 48, was pronounced dead at New York-Presbyterian The Allen Hospital after police say he lost consciousness in their custody on Jan. 28. 
The NYPD says its Force Investigation Division is also looking into the incident. Lawyers for Alotisia Stevens, the mother of Pritchett's 3-year-old son, are praising the independent investigation. 
Police had responded to a 2767 Reservoir Ave. home around 4:50 p.m., where they say Pritchett's father told them his emotionally disturbed son would not leave his bedroom.
Stevens says she was unaware that Pritchett had any emotional issues, although he was mourning the loss of a nephew who died in October.
Police say he had a gun, bullets and drugs inside his room.
While officers were attempting to restrain him, police say he tried to grab one of their guns.
When officers removed him from the room, authorities say he lost consciousness.
Emergency responders attempted to revive him at the scene before bringing him to the hospital, police say. A medical examiner has yet to determine the cause of death.
Authorities later arrested Pritchett's 71-year-old father, Prentice Pritchett, on felony weapon and drug charges.
Stevens says the last time she spoke to the younger Pritchett was to make plans for their son's third birthday. He didn't live to see it.
"My 3-year-old doesn't even know that his father is dead," she says. "I don't know how to tell him."


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