Phoenix Police are investigating the death of a man, Zacharie Irambona, while he was in police custody.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, just before 11:30 a.m. on Monday April 10, 2023, officers responded to a neighborhood near 6500 West Cocopah Street for a call of a theft. Witnesses reported a man was acting erratic, walking into an open garage, grabbing property and throwing himself to the ground.
The man, later identified as the 29-year-old Irambona, walked away from that home and towards another home. A Phoenix sergeant was the first to arrive.
The officer found Irambona lying down in the front yard of a home. The sergeant removed a metal object from Irambona’s hand and handcuffed him with his hands in front. The
Phoenix Fire Department was called to evaluate Irambona’s condition.
When paramedics arrived, an officer removed Irambona’s handcuffs. Irambona man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner.
The actions of the officers will be the subject of an internal and criminal investigation.