Autopsy: death of handcuffed man shot in chest ruled suicide
A Louisiana man shot and killed himself in March while in custody in the backseat of a squad car, according to the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office.
Victor White III, who was handcuffed at his time of death, sustained a bullet wound to the chest.
The Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office has released only the first page of the autopsy report, which contradicts statements initially made by State Police who said White shot himself in the back while handcuffed in the back of a sheriff’s unit.
According to the autopsy, the bullet entered White’s chest, then perforated his left lung and heart before exiting his armpit area and lacerating his upper arm.
The report rules White’s death a suicide.
State Police issued a release in March that said deputies were called to investigate a fight in the 300 block of Lewis Street and found White was allegedly in possession of narcotics. Deputies handcuffed White and took him to the Sheriff’s Office for processing, but said White refused to exit the car when they arrived. State Police also said in their initial report that while the deputy was requesting assistance, White produced a handgun and shot himself once in the back.
White was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Anthony Green said protocol requires deputies to check suspects for weapons before placing them into a police unit.
Police are still waiting on evidence in the case.
No further comments were made given the nature of the ongoing investigation. Check back for further developments.
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