Deshoun Torrence, 18 [Updated]

Deshoun Kenyon Torrence, 18, a black man, died in police custody in Long Beach about 9 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Long Beach homicide detectives are investigating the incident.

According to a police statement, officers responded Saturday night to a report of a residential burglary in progress in the 600 block of Elm Avenue. In addition, officers were told that someone had been detained by residents at the scene and that they were screaming for help. When they arrived, officers were directed to Torrence. Officers reported that Torrence had sustained injuries, the statement said.

According to Ed Winter, assistant chief of investigations for the Los Angeles County coroner's office, Torrence was struck with a shotgun butt. However, Winter said, the cause of death has not been determined, pending an autopsy.  Winter also said officers had used necessary force to restrain Torrence. The police statement said Torrence became combative toward officers while being taken into custody.

Paramedics also treated Torrence at the scene, the statement said. Torrence was placed in the back of a squad car. Minutes later, after paramedics had left, Torrence was found unresponsive in the car, the statement said.  Officers performed CPR on Torrence, but he was later pronounced dead.

[Updated Jan. 22, 2010: Winter said Torrence's death has been listed as undetermined. He said his death has not been officially ruled a homicide because several underlying medical conditions could have exacerbated his injuries and contributed to his death.]