Man who died after struggle had meth in system
preliminary lab tests showed
http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/
Violent death shocks family members
Police stunned a man with a Taser while trying to subdue him in a scuffle at a Houma Walmart over the weekend before he died moments later, family members said.
Family members of Randolph Bonvillian Jr., 41, of Houma, have met with the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office to discuss the ongoing investigation into Bonvillian’s death and the actions of Houma Police, said S.P. LaRussa, landowner and local developer, who is Bonvillian’s cousin.
Houma Police and the Sheriff’s Office declined to confirm if a Taser was used on Bonvillian, who was accused of injuring three officers and if that may have contributed to his death. The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office has not completed his autopsy.
LaRussa said police informed his family that a Taser was used.
Randolph Bonvillian Jr.
Houma man dies after scuffle with police
The Jefferson Parish Forensic Center will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The three officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay.
HOUMA— A Saturday night disturbance at Wal-Mart in Houma ends with three officers injured and one man dead.
“I think it’s too soon to make a judgment,” customer Ms. Kathy said.
It didn’t take long for word to spread to Wal-Mart customers.
They’re all a buzz about reports of a man dying — after he was heard screaming inside the store.
“He was in the restroom in the store being loud enough to be heard from outside the restroom,” Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois said. “That’s why the officer responded.”
Investigators say a Houma Police Officer working extra-duty detail at the store, heard 41-year old Randolph Bonvillian junior screaming.
When the officer approached him, trying to calm him down, Bonvillian reportedly became belligerent and began fighting the officer.
That’s when the officer called for two back-up officers.
“He could have had a medical condition,” Ms. Kathy said. “He could have been on drugs.”
Back inside the Wal-Mart, the struggle between the three officers and Bonvillian continued.
Investigators say all three officers were injured — but they were able to subdue Bonvillian.
However, Bonvillian became unresponsive.
He was later pronounced dead at the coroner’s office.
http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-news-wal-mart-disturbance-ends-in-death
Robert Bonvillian Jr., died after struggle with police
