New York Attorney General's Office finds no wrongdoing in inmate's death

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The New York State Attorney General's Office has released the findings of its report on the death of Shaun Humphrey, who died at the Erie County Holding Center in 2023. According to Letitia James' office, there was no evidence of wrongdoing by deputies.

In the report, James says Humphrey was in custody in a detoxification unit with constant observation on Aug. 8, 2023. That day, a deputy saw Humphrey display seizure-like behavior and roll off his bed and onto the floor. The deputy called for medical assistance, and additional deputies and medical staff arrived at Humphrey’s cell.

Medical staff began providing aid, including two doses of Narcan. After the second dose of Narcan, James says Humphrey became physically combative, and deputies attempted to restrain him, leading to a struggle as they tried to handcuff Humphrey. After Humphrey was in handcuffs, the deputies rolled him onto his side, with Humphrey appearing calm and to be breathing normally, but after a minute and a half he became combative again. As deputies tried to put shackles on Humphrey’s legs, Humphrey became unresponsive.

Despite CPR and other life saving measures, Humphrey was rushed to a hospital where he died a week later.

The investigation found deputies' efforts to restrain Humphrey when he became combative were not excessive nor held him in a prone position longer than needed to get hi restrain him.

James says there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. The decision comes after an investigation which included interviews with involved officers and medical professionals, review of body-worn camera footage and hospital records, and comprehensive legal analysis.