St. Petersburg police reports a man died after a violent struggle with officers when they attempted to arrest him on Wednesday morning.
Police say at 7:10 a.m., officers attempted to arrest a man outside a homeless outreach center called the Sunrise Community at 1401 Fifth Ave. N. The man was found sitting on a bench outside the center.
Authorities say the man identified as Joshua G. Dove, 35, tried to punch an officer then became involved in a violent struggle with officers, resisting arrest. A Good Samaritan stepped in and attempted to assist the officers.
Two officers deployed their Tasers while attempting to subdue and arrest Dove.
The man collapsed. The officers immediately began first aid just as paramedics arrived because a Taser had been deployed.
Dove was taken to St. Anthony's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Dove's death is being investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department's Major Crimes Unit, the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office, and the District Six Medical Examiner's Office. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.
None of the officers was injured during the arrest and all of the officers will remain on full-duty status, a St. Petersburg Police Department report said.
No drugs were found on Dove.
According to the report, witnesses told police detectives Dove had smoked synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as "Spice," before the first officer arrived on scene.
