Inmate struggling at Cherokee Medical Center dies after being Tased by security
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. July 26 2019
An inmate arrested during Operation Crystal Clear died at Cherokee Medical Center Wednesday morning, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller.
Mueller said 32 people were arrested during the drug sting.
The inmate was being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center, Mueller said.
Mueller said the suspect complained of shortness of breath while being arrested Tuesday around 6:40 a.m. at a home in Blacksburg.
Officers contacted Emergency Medical Services and first responders who arrived at the scene around 7:03 a.m., Mueller said.
According to Mueller, the suspect refused treatment from EMS at the scene after having his vitals checked.
He was then transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center and booked into the facility around 7:40 a.m., Mueller said.
Mueller said the medical staff was made aware of the suspect’s earlier medical complaint and monitored him throughout the day.
The on-duty medical provider requested officers transport the inmate to the hospital around 5:15 p.m. and they arrived at the hospital at 5:25 p.m. with the inmate, Mueller said.
According to Mueller, the inmate was admitted to the hospital.
The inmate became combative Wednesday around 1 a.m. and struck a female detention officer who was not injured, Mueller said.
Mueller said the security officers from the hospital assisted medical staff and the detention officer in restraining the inmate, and hospital security deployed a taser on the inmate.
The inmate became unresponsive around 2 p.m., and medical staff started life-saving procedures, Mueller said.
According to Mueller, the inmate was pronounced dead around 2:25 a.m. at Cherokee Medical Center in Gaffney.
The Cherokee County Coroner has identified the inmate as Ross Alan Rittacco, 42, of Blacksburg.
He said an autopsy will be performed Thursday.
SLED was contacted to conduct an independent investigation which is standard protocol following an inmate’s death, Mueller said
Mueller said the South Carolina Department of Corrections was also notified of the incident as required.
WYFF
