IRVING, Texas - A suspect taken into custody during a narcotics investigation died Monday night, February 23rd, after a physical struggle with Irving police officers, authorities said.
The Irving Police Department reported officers were conducting a narcotics investigation when they initiated a traffic stop at approximately 7:50 p.m. near N. Belt Line Road and Cross Country Trail. During the stop, officers attempted to arrest the driver for possession of narcotics.
Police said the suspect resisted arrest and engaged in a physical struggle with officers before being placed in handcuffs. Officers later observed the suspect had sustained injuries during the encounter.
Irving Fire Department personnel responded and transported the individual to a local hospital, where medical staff later pronounced the suspect deceased. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Officials said no officers were injured.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death. The Irving Police Department has opened both criminal and administrative investigations, and the Dallas County Public Integrity Unit will conduct an independent review.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased as 48-year-old Homer Joel Cortez, Jr.
Authorities said the investigations remain in the early stages and no additional information is available at this time.
