SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 7, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — An alleged shoplifter, reportedly attacked as he fled an Ace Hardware store in Salt Lake City, has died.
Salt Lake City Police officials have revealed the man’s identity as Mischa Ryan Cox, 30, of Salt Lake City.
The case has been classified as an Officer Involved Critical Incident, reportedly because Cox may have been further injured because police had placed him in handcuffs. The exact nature of the injuries suffered due to the handcuffs has not been revealed, but some reports have suggested his airway might have been compromised.
“The individual involved in the Ace Hardware #Incident has passed away. He has been identified as Mischa Ryan Cox, 30,” a tweet from the SLCPD says.
“The #OICI #Investigation is being handled by Unified Police. Once that investigation has concluded the results will be turned over to the DA.”
The incident that resulted in Cox’s ultimate death happened on Thursday, May 2. Salt Lake City police said a man who was reportedly shoplifting from Ace Hardware was in critical condition after getting into an altercation with store employees and bystanders Thursday evening.
First responders were called to the scene of Ace Hardware, at 612 E. 400 South, at approximately 7:10 p.m., according to a tweet from Salt Lake City Police Department.
“#Shoplifter leaving Ace Hardware tackled by witnesses and employees until #officers arrived, who put cuffs on #suspect and immediately realize he needed medical,” the tweet said. “#Police rendered CPR until medical arrived. Man transported to hospital in critical condition.”
The attack on Cox could result in homicide charges, police said early on.
Salt Lake City Police Department tweeted that Unified Police would be handling the investigation, and said it was an Officer Involved Critical Incident. Officials subsequently clarified that because the suspect was handcuffed by police while injured or suffering a medical issue, it could be classified as such.
