Family wants answers after man dies while in police custody

HOUSTON – Houston police are awaiting autopsy results Monday after a homeless man died while in police custody last week.

On Friday night, officers responded to a call at the Salina Food Mart in the 3500 block of Lockwood for reports of an assault.

According to police, Michael King, 40, entered the store and began acting erratically. He appeared to be on a controlled substance, witnesses said. The store manager asked King to leave, and he refused.

Police said when they arrived on the scene, King was combative as they tried to arrest him.
The Houston Fire Department was called to the scene to check out King, and he was released back into police custody.

King was taken to the Houston Police Department jail to be booked on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, but when they arrived King was unresponsive, officials said.

Officers immediately began administering CPR. King was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died.

"I just want answers. I want to find out what happened to my brother," said William Missouria, King's younger brother.

Missouria said his brother was homeless and had been living in an abandoned house across from the food mart.

He said witnesses at the scene told him King was alive when he was put in a patrol unit. Now Missouria is confused about how he died while on the way to the jail.

He said his brother was fun-loving, outgoing and energetic and will be greatly missed.

HPD homicide and internal affairs units are investigating.