Doug Martin died while in police custody, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) confirmed after multiple outlets first reported the news.
The former NFL running back and Boise State standout was 36. His passing was confirmed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 19.
OPD identified Martin as ‘Douglas Martin of Stockton.’
‘Prior to his death, Martin was involved in a break-in at a residence in Oakland,’ the authorities said in their Monday, Oct. 20 afternoon update. ‘While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred. After being taken into custody, Martin became unresponsive.’
According to a prior social media post by the Oakland (California) Police Department, the incident associated with Martin’s death occurred just after 4:15 a.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 18 on a street near the Oakland Zoo.
‘Officers responded to the area for an individual who had broken into a nearby residence,’ the advisory said. ‘Simultaneously, officers were notified of an individual who was experiencing a medical emergency and was believed to be the same individual related to the break-in.’
Officers located the individual inside the residence and ‘a brief struggle ensued.’ The person became unresponsive after being taken into custody and, despite aid from paramedics and being transported to a local hospital, died. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is customary.
The Oakland Police Department’s homicide section and internal affairs unit are investigating the incident, as are the Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
No additional details will be provided until the investigation concludes, the Oakland Police Department said.
Martin’s family released a statement saying a cause of death was unconfirmed and the Bucs called Martin’s passing ‘sudden.’ The family referred back to the statement when contacted by news outlets.
Martin played in the NFL from 2012-18 and was a northern California native.