LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport Police Department is investigating the death of a 24-year-old man who was acting erratically on Main Street Wednesday morning.
Anthony Cortez, of Clearlake, was pronounced dead at Sutter Lakeside Hospital after authorities detained him for “paranoid behavior leading officers to believe he was under the influence of an unknown substance.”
The incident was reported around 10 a.m. Wednesday, where officers responded to the area of Anchorage Inn, located at 950 N. Main St., on a report of a shirtless man running around the parking lot and banging on a glass door. Cortez, matching the subject’s description, was found stopping traffic and bothering pedestrians in front of Natural High on Main Street.
LPD said Cortez was flailing on the ground and then walked toward officers in a paranoid manner. Once officers arrested the 24-year-old, he continued to display abnormal behavior. This prompted authorities to request medical respond.
“As officers were waiting for medics to arrive, Cortez began flailing his feet uncontrollably and continued to display a state of paranoia,” the agency said.
Cortez was placed on a gurney and was transported to the hospital. While en route, LPD said, Cortez “began to have a medical emergency and life-saving measures were performed.”
Though first-responders attempted to revive he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
LPD has initiated an investigation into the Clearlake man’s death and has requested the assistance from the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information on this ongoing investigation is asked to contact LPD detective Stoebe at 707-263-5491.
