Investigators in Manuel Ellis’ Tacoma death hoping public can help identify possible witnesses
.JPG "Investigators are hoping to identify potential witnesses who were at the scene when Manuel Ellis died March 3 while being restrained by Tacoma police officers.")
After months of searching, investigators have been unable to find potential witnesses who were present when Manuel Ellis died while being restrained by Tacoma police.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has images of three motorists who were near the intersection of South 96th Street and Ainsworth Avenue March 3 and are hoping they come forward to be interviewed.
“They’re not in any trouble,” sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said. “We just want to know if they saw anything.”
One was a female driver in a dark-colored vehicle. A male driver in a white vehicle is possibly named “Deon,” according to the department.
There was also a silver sedan, possibly a Chrysler 300, driving through the intersection around 11:22 p.m.
Witnesses reported seeing Ellis, 33, “impeding the path of the silver sedan and attempting to open door handles,” the department said in a news release.
All three vehicles left the scene before backup patrol units or detectives arrived.
Anyone with information on these people is asked to email the Sheriff’s Department at pcsheriff@co.pierce.wa.us.
Detectives have canvassed the neighborhood and reviewed records but have been unable to find the vehicles or occupants.
Ellis allegedly tried to open several car doors before attacking a Tacoma police officer who was trying to speak with him, investigators say.
At the time, police said his behavior appeared to be excited delirium, which can cause bouts of violence, high body temperature and unexpected strength.
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined Ellis died of respiratory arrest due to hypoxia due to physical restraint.
Hypoxia is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues.
In a police radio recording, Ellis can be heard saying “Can’t breathe” before he died.
Investigators say officers rolled Ellis onto his side and even sat him up after he said he couldn’t breathe.
After receiving the autopsy findings Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Department said it is wrapping up its investigation and will forward it to the Prosecutor’s Office by next week.
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 3:30 PM.
