Mathew Ajibade, 22, who was said to have bipolar disorder, died in custody in a county jail in Georgia after he “became combative during the booking process,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
His family wants to know the cause of his death.
CNN reports that authorities said during the alleged jail altercation, three deputies were injured, including a female sergeant who suffered a concussion and broken nose.
The alleged combativeness doesn’t square with family members’ description of the 22-year-old, whom they described as a much-loved “geeky kid.”
Ajibade, the Nigeria native was in Savannah studying computer science.
Ajibade’s family has hired Mark O’Mara, a CNN legal analyst who once represented George Zimmerman in the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
According to CNN, O’Mara called the disciplinary action against the two deputies sent on administrative leave “a good small step in holding people responsible for their actions.”
“We still need questions answered how Matthew’s life was taken from him,” O’Mara added.
The body was released to the family Thursday morning, O’Mara said.
The attorney hopes to see “discourse of all available information as soon as possible,” he said.
Ajibade was diagnosed with bipolar disorder three years ago and was having a medical emergency at the time of his arrest and confinement, O’Mara said.
Savannah police arrested Ajibade on January 1 after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance.
CNN reports further that when police arrived, they witnessed Ajibade holding a women under a blanket, according to an incident report. Police uncovered the two and noticed that the woman’s “face was bruised, and her nose was bleeding,” the report says.
Officers ordered Ajibade to release the woman, but he did not comply, the report says, adding that when police tried to arrest Ajibade, he proceeded to “resist apprehension in a violent manner.”
He was accused of domestic violence, battery and obstruction of an officer.
According to CNN, a woman whom he identified as his girlfriend tried to inform police of his mental health issues, O’Mara said.
A GBI spokesperson said an autopsy had been conducted, but that a cause of death was pending toxicology reports.
The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office said a criminal investigation is ongoing and the office will “handle the matter further, should it become necessary.” (Credit: CNN).