Man who died while in custody ID’d by Spokane police

The man who died early Wednesday shortly after being arrested by Spokane police was identified Thursday as Lorenzo Hayes, 37.

Hayes died after an unspecified medical emergency as Spokane County Jail officers were trying to restrain him in the booking area, police said Wednesday. Officers said he became uncooperative during the ride to jail.

The cause of death is pending toxicology reports and further investigation.

County Commissioner Todd Mielke said Wednesday he was told Hayes suffered a cardiac incident during booking.

Police were called to the 5400 block of North Addison Street before 6 a.m. Wednesday for domestic violence. A witness told police he saw the man involved take a rifle from his Jeep Cherokee and hide it near the house.

Hayes was outside the home when police arrived even though a protection order was in place forbidding him from having contact with the woman who lives there. Police recovered a .22-caliber rifle outside the home.

Hayes was arrested on suspicion of violating a no-contact order and unlawful possession of a firearm. Officers noticed that he was sweating profusely and appeared to be high. When asked, Hayes told police that he “drank something,” according to court documents.

The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force had previously identified Hayes as a “midlevel” methamphetamine and heroin dealer.