37-year-old dies after police chase and struggle in Warsaw's Białołęka district
A 37-year-old man died in hospital hours after he fled through a window, sprayed officers with pepper gas and lost consciousness during a struggle with police in Warsaw’s Białołęka district on Sunday morning.
Dual reports to police
On Sunday at around 9 a.m., officers from the Warsaw Białołęka police station were dispatched to a domestic disturbance on Przejezdna Street after receiving a report about an aggressive 37-year-old man threatening a household member. The caller also indicated the man had earlier taken unspecified substances. While en route, a second call reached the dispatchers: the same 37-year-old man, claiming someone in the apartment posed a threat to his life and health. When officers arrived, they met the woman who had made the first call, who told them the man had locked himself in a room. Because the situation was unfolding quickly, additional patrols were requested; at least five police cars responded to the scene.
Escape through a ground-floor window
Officers attempted to make contact and open the door to the room. At that moment, the man sprayed a pepper-based irritant towards the officers and fled through a ground-floor window of the building. He then hid in a garage on a neighboring property. Police pursued him there.
During an attempt to establish contact and open the door to the room, the man used an irritant (gas spray) against the intervening officers, then escaped the apartment through a window on the building's ground floor and hid in a nearby garage.
Struggle and loss of consciousness
When officers tried to arrest him, the man resisted actively, remained agitated and aggressive. During the subduing, he suddenly lost consciousness. Police officers immediately began providing first aid and called an emergency medical team. He was transported to hospital, where he died after a few hours despite medical assistance.
During subduing, he lost consciousness. Officers immediately began providing him first aid and called an emergency medical team. The 37-year-old was taken to hospital, where, despite medical help, he died after a few hours.
Injuries and investigation
Two officers were hurt during the incident: one was bitten on the hand, and another required medical attention after contact with the irritant used by the man. Both were taken to hospital for consultations. The prosecutor has been notified. According to standard procedures, the police internal control unit and the Control Department of the Warsaw Police Headquarters will review the course of the intervention. All circumstances are to be thoroughly clarified.
