Darryl D. Mason

Less-than-lethal force

Police responded to a reported that Darryl D. Mason Sr. was "hyper, sweating heavily and scaring patrons" at the QCCA Expo Center. Police tried to arrest Mason for disorderly conduct, and he allegedly became "agitated, combative and resistive." Police said officers pepper-sprayed Mason when he wouldn't stop trying to kick the windows in a squad car. Upon arrival at the jail, officers placed Mason face down on a concrete bench, to remove handcuffs, police said. Mason became unresponsive and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Although various abrasions and contusions were visible on Mason's body, Coroner Brian Gustafson said, "We could tell immediately they were not from that day." He said Mason died from "adverse effects of cocaine." The inquest jury decided Mason's death was an accident.