At the request of the Forest Park Police Department, the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is investigating what is being considered an in-custody death of a man on Aug. 23.
Dajuan Gates, 27, from Chicago, died at the hospital just after being released from police custody.
At around 4:12 p.m. on Aug. 22 a Forest Park police officer attempted to stop a vehicle that committed a traffic violation and fled from the police, according to a press release from Deputy Chief Ken Gross.
Gates reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot, while the officer chased him but lost sight of him. A witness reported Gates’ location, and the officer broadcast the description and direction of travel.
Police reported finding a pistol in the roadway near the area where Gates had been.
Stopped by Oak Park officers in the vicinity of Madison Street and Maple Avenue a short time later, Gates was positively identified by the Forest Park officer and an independent witness.
On scene, Gates reportedly became despondent. Officers reported that they believed Gates was suffering from a narcotics overdose. They administered Narcan, an opioid antidote, and summoned an ambulance. A second dose of Narcan was administered prior to medical transport, according to police.
Gates was transported to Rush Oak Park hospital where he died on Aug. 23 at approximately 8:28 p.m.
At the time he died, Forest Park police officers had already fingerprinted Gates and released him from custody, removing the guard outside his hospital room. They planned to charge him later.
Though Gates had just been released from police custody at the time of his death, the department requested an investigation by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force.
