Michael Charles Thompson
Michael Charles Thompson, 36, was a veteran, and his mother said he was not a danger to anyone and only wanted help. He died in June 2022 after an El Paso police officer responded to a welfare check at a 7-Eleven and placed him under an emergency detention order. His family's lawsuit against the City of El Paso alleges that officers used excessive force, including Tasers, and neglected him while he was restrained in a squad car. An autopsy report obtained by KFOX14/CBS4 lists the manner of death as homicide, with acute methamphetamine and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as contributing factors. The city declined to comment because of pending litigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (neglect alleged). The autopsy report obtained by KFOX14/CBS4 lists the manner as homicide, with methamphetamine and heart disease as contributing factors; his family's lawsuit says officers used tasers and neglected him while he was restrained in a squad car.
Reported by: Autopsy report obtained by KFOX14/CBS4 (medical examiner or coroner); His family's lawsuit against the City of El Paso (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued the City of El Paso, alleging that officers used excessive force and neglected him while he was restrained, and the litigation is pending.