Lionel Morris

Less-than-lethal force

Officers were called to the Harps Food Store around 4:30 p.m. where two customers were reportedly removing store merchandise from its packaging, allegedly to steal the items. One of the men, Lionel Morris, resisted arrest and a chase throughout the store ensued. After disarming Morris of knife clipped to his pocket, officers used physical force and a stun gun to bring Morris under their control. Laying in the prone position with one to two officers on top of him, Morris said he couldn't breathe. He subsequently vomited, became unresponsive and died. All officers exonerated. Cause of death was reported to be "methamphetamine intoxication with exertion, struggle, restraint and conducted electrical weapon deployment."