Man dies days after given ‘calming drug' during scuffle with police

BALTIMORE, Md. – Baltimore County police and fire officials are investigating the circumstances behind the death of 21-year-old Tawon Boyd, who died Wednesday, three days after police struggled with him while responding to a disturbance call.

A medic who was called to the scene gave Boyd medication to calm him down. Autopsy results are a critical component in this case, because they might reveal whether the drug haloperidol, which sources said medics gave the victim to calm him down, contributed to his death. Police confirm a key element of this case will be the impact the calming drug may have had on Boyd.

"I just want my son back. They could have Tased him. They could have maced him. They could have done anything," said Martha Boyd, Tawon Boyd's mother.

"The autopsy is a crucial piece of evidence," said A. Dwight Pettit, an attorney representing the Boyd family.

The incident began when Baltimore County police responded to a disturbance call. Officers said Tawon Boyd seemed confused, paranoid and was sweating heavily.

He then tried to flee, and a struggle with police ensued, during which Boyd was punched at least twice in the face.

Police called an ambulance. According to sources, one of the medics gave Tawon Boyd haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug used to calm agitated individuals. Police write in their report, "Boyd became so calm that Officer Bowman asked a medic to check the suspect for a pulse."

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