Muhammad Abdul Muhaymin, 43

Phoenix, Arizona
January 04, 2017

Agencies: Phoenix Police Department Arizona

Cause of death: Beating


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Overview

Phoenix police have identified the man who went into medical distress while in custody at a west Phoenix community center Wednesday morning.

Muhammad Abdul Muhaymin, 43, died at a hospital after experiencing medical distress while being restrained by police officers, the Phoenix Police Department said Thursday.

Officers were investigating an incident involving Muhaymin at the Maryvale Community Center about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Sgt. Jonathan Howard, Phoenix police spokesman.

Police said the man was “acting erratically” and pushed an employee of the community center after being asked to leave, Howard said.

Muhaymin resisted arrest, and it took eight officers and two sets of handcuffs to detain him, Howard said.

Muhaymin, a transient known to frequent the community center, may have been under the influence of drugs, but his cause of death was yet to be determined by the Maricopa County medical examiner, Howard said.

Legal Action

Muhaymin's sister filed a lawsuit in December 2017 seeking $10 million from the city. It alleged excessive force and wrongful death, saying officers caused the death by using unjustified force in restraining Muhaymin, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and acute claustrophobia.