Sarasota man dies in hospital following arrest

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) – Sarasota County Sheriff’s officials say a 33-year-old man died in a hospital after experiencing medical distress during his arrest by police.

Officials on Friday said they are investigating the circumstances of John Kaafi’s arrest.

Sarasota Police arrested Kaafi Wednesday during a traffic stop for a non-working tag light. Police said Kaafi acted suspiciously and went to detain him for “officer safety.”

Police discovered a vial containing a substance that tested positive for cocaine. Officers also found spice, a designer drug, in the vehicle. While taking him to the jail, officials said Kaffi escaped by flinging himself out the cruiser window. They used a Taser on him.

Police called an ambulance from the jail when Kaafi complained of an asthma attack. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.