Second Mecklenburg county jail inmate dead this month after ‘medical emergency’
A man died in custody Tuesday night after a “medical emergency,” the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday.
Anthony Walton, 51, was in jail for charges of attempted kidnapping, attempted common law robbery and breaking or entering a motor vehicle. He’s the second inmate this month who’s died after a medical emergency. Though, there’s no evidence the two cases are connected.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a medical emergency was called after a detention officer found Walton unresponsive, according to the news release. Detention staff tried to resuscitate him until emergency medical personnel arrived.
The Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC took him to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. He was pronounced dead there around 10:17 p.m.
Details of Walton’s medical emergency were not immediately available. His health information would not be disclosed per federal law, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Announcing the death of a resident in our care is always a challenging duty,” Sheriff Garry McFadden said in a statement. “The entire staff at MCSO has been affected by the death of Mr. Anthony Walton, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
The sheriff’s office is investigating the death. And the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will look into it, according to the release.
Almost two weeks ago, a 71-year-old man also died in the Mecklenburg County jail after being found unresponsive from a medical emergency. The sheriff’s office also didn’t release the cause of his death.
In September, three inmates at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center were treated after being found unresponsive from a suspected drug overdose inside of a courthouse holding cell. They were responsive after being taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.
This story was originally published December 27, 2023 at 11:35 AM.