A shoplifting suspect died after Conway police officers used a stun gun to subdue him, according to the Arkansas State Police agency.
The agency announced Wednesday that it was investigating the death of Lionel Morris, 39, of Conway, who died Tuesday after he was rushed to Conway Regional Medical Center.
Bill Sadler, a state police spokesman, said Conway police officers used an "electronic control device" on Morris.
After Morris was handcuffed, he became "unresponsive" and died at the hospital, Sadler said.
Initially, Conway police officers responded to a call at Harp's Grocery at 1120 E. German Lane around 4:25 p.m., according to reports. Officers were led to two people suspected of removing items from packaging, Sadler said.
One of the suspects was Morris, who tried to run away, according to police. Authorities caught up with him, and there was a struggle, police reported. That's when the stun gun was used, police said.
After he was handcuffed, Morris stopped breathing, Sadler said.
Conway police requested that the state police investigate the death.
A message left with a Conway police spokesman was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.
Metro on 02/06/2020