Man Dies In Police Custody After Possible Seizure: Officials

MANASSAS, VA — A man from Manassas died in police custody after he was accused of assaulting a woman in Gainesville on Thursday evening. The man, Robert Leroy Reid, appeared to suffer a seizure prior to arriving at Prince William County Adult Detention Center but refused treatment, according to a news release from the police department.

The man's body was taken to the medical examiner's office for an autopsy to determine what caused his death. Two Prince William County police officers have been placed on "routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation," according to the police department.

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, officers responded to a report of a fight in the 7400 block of Carver Road in Gainesville. Officers claim they found a man, later identified as Reid, in a grassy area. The officers said the man appeared to be under the influence, according to a police report.

The officers believed Reid approached a 38-year-old woman who was walking to a home in the area. Authorities claim Reid placed his arm around the victim's neck and dragged her away.

The victim was able to break free and run away, but officers said Reid bit her leg as she tried to escape. The woman reported a minor injury and was treated on the scene by rescue personnel, police said.

Officers arrested Reid and found a vial with liquid that they suspected was PCP when he was searched.

Before he was taken to the Adult Detention Center, Reid exhibited signs of a seizure, according to a police report. Rescue personnel evaluated Reid, but authorities said he refused to be taken to a hospital and declined further treatment.

After officers took Reid to the jail, he became unresponsive as he was being processed into the facility. The officers and staff at the center performed CPR before rescue personnel arrived.

Reid was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.