The death of a young black man who was killed by a single gunshot while handcuffed in the back of a Louisiana patrol car has been ruled a suicide.The official autopsy of Victor White III contradicts early police claims that White allegedly shot himself in the back once he arrived at the police station on March 2.
According to the initial police statement, White had been arrested on charges of drug possession. He was handcuffed with his wrists behind him and placed in a squad car. Upon arriving at the police station, the 22-year-old reportedly did not want to get out of the vehicle. The official report concludes, “As the deputy requested assistance from other deputies, White produced a handgun and fired one round striking himself in the back.”
The official autopsy tells a much different story, and proves that White was shot in the front of his body – not behind. The bullet entered the young man’s chest, piercing his left lung and heart before exiting around his armpit, according to the final autopsy.
Although White’s hands were never tested for gunpowder residue, the Iberia Parish coroner still supported the initial police statement issued back in March. Dr. Carl Ditch ruled that White shot himself, and declared his death a suicide in a report released two weeks ago.
State Police Master Trooper Brooks David acknowledged that the investigation into White’s death is still open.