Missouri State Highway Patrol investigating Boone County Jail death
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control confirmed on Monday investigators are investigating the death of an Ashland man at the Boone County Jail on Friday.
Boone County Sheriff's Office said in a news release, William Gipson, 43, of Ashland, died in custody at the Boone County Jail.
A spokesperson from the Highway Patrol confirmed to ABC 17 on Monday, that investigators are investigating at the request of the Sheriff's Office.
"When the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office for review," the spokesperson said in an email statement. "This investigation is ongoing, and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comments will be made at this time."
The spokesperson also confirmed an autopsy will be complete within several days.
According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, Gipson was arrested by Ashland Police and was brought to the jail at 3:09 p.m. Friday. Detention personnel tried to book Gipson into the jail, but according to the statement Gipson was "uncooperative and was physically restrained."
According to online dispatch logs, first responders were called to the Boone County Jail at 6:42 p.m. for a medical response.
The Boone County Sheriff's Office said in its statement after the restraint officers observed Gipson showing signs of medical distress around 6:34 p.m. on Friday.
"Boone County Jail personnel immediately responded to Mr. Gipson to provide aid and summoned medical personnel for assistance," the Boone County Sheriff's Office said in the statement. "Mr. Gipson then became unresponsive and was provided CPR by Boone County Jail personnel and medical staff. Unfortunately, efforts to revive Mr. Gipson were unsuccessful and he died."
ABC 17 News reached out for clarification about the timeline of events.
A spokesperson for the Boone County Sheriff's Office said in an email there have been assumptions made that are incorrect, including that Gipson was restrained for several hours. He also said the assumptions and allegations on social media will not be addressed as there is an active investigation into his death.
Gipson was arrested around 2:20 p.m. Friday by the Ashland Police Department for first-degree trespassing, first-degree property damage, and second-degree tampering with the property of another, Sergent Andrew Worrall with Ashland police told ABC 17 News over email.
