Phoenix Police are investigating the death of a man, Turrell Clay, who died at the hospital several hours after being arrested by police.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on January 10, 2025, the 33-year-old Clay was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant near 3100 North 40th Lane. Prior to his arrest, Clay ran from officers, while armed with a gun, and climbed onto the roof of a nearby home. Officers used less lethal tools when Clay would not get down from the roof. Once Clay was off the roof, officers used physical force during a struggle to get him handcuffed. Once in custody, officers called for paramedics to assess Clay. Phoenix Fire evaluated Clay and released him to officers before leaving the scene.
While still on scene, Clay told officers he was having a hard time breathing. Officers drove Clay to a nearby hospital. Clay was then transported by a private ambulance company to a cardiac hospital for advanced care. Doctors there performed a surgical procedure, during which Clay did not survive.
The Maricopa County Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death.