A man who was in custody at the Chatham County jail died after a confrontation with deputies when he was being booked, according to the sheriff’s office.
While being restrained, 22-year-old Matthew Ajibade injured three deputies, said Wayne Wermuth, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. A female sergeant suffered a concussion and broken nose, and two male deputies suffered injuries consistent with a fight, Wermuth said.
Information about his time of death was not immediately available.
Ajibade had been in custody at the jail since 6:40 p.m. Thursday after being arrested by Savannah-Chatham police on charges of domestic violence act, battery and obstruction by resisting arrest.
Ajibade was put in isolation because of dangerous behavior, Wermuth said. Upon Ajibade’s second welfare check, he appeared nonresponsive, Wermuth said. Jail medical staff started CPR and administered defibrillation while preparing Ajibade for transport to Memorial University Medical Center.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an independent investigation, which is normal sheriff’s office protocol. A cause of death will not be made until the autopsy, lab results and the GBI investigation are completed.
Ajibade does not have any previous records with the state Department of Corrections or courts in Chatham County.