BROOKLYN — An inmate at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn died Wednesday in custody after being pepper-sprayed by staff, U.S. Department of Justice officials confirmed to PIX11.
A spokesperson said inmate Jamel Floyd, 35, was barricaded inside his cell and breaking the cell door window with a metal object.
He became increasingly disruptive, the spokesperson said, adding it was believed he could be potentially harmful to himself and others.
He was pepper-sprayed and staff removed him from his cell, the official said.
When medical staff responded, Floyd was unresponsive.
Life-saving measures were started by medical staff and EMS continued them once on the scene, the official said.
He was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead, the spokesperson said.
No staff members or other inmates were injured.
There is no indication that this death was related to COVID-19.
The DOJ spokesperson said the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service were notified.
