A Colorado paramedic is facing manslaughter charges following the death of a 36-year-old man who was sedated, restrained, and placed in a prone position while handcuffed. The tragic incident occurred after the suspect, Jesus Lopez Barcenas, was arrested in December 2023 and later went into cardiac arrest.
The Incident
On December 27, 2023, Boulder police responded to a call about a suspicious person on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. Upon arrival, officers encountered Barcenas, who allegedly refused to cooperate, claiming that a nearby building was on fire.
As the officers attempted to detain him, Barcenas allegedly resisted, even grabbing for one of their guns. After a struggle, police were able to handcuff him.
When paramedics, including Edward McClure from American Medical Response (AMR), arrived to assist, police informed them that Barcenas needed medical evaluation before being taken to jail.
According to prosecutors, McClure administered 5 milligrams of Droperidol, a sedative, into Barcenas’ buttocks before evaluating him. McClure allegedly made light of the situation, saying “I love holes in the pants,” before placing Barcenas face down on a gurney in a prone position.
The Situation in the Ambulance
Once Barcenas was placed on the gurney, McClure reportedly told officers to “strap the crap out of him” and kept Barcenas face down, despite the apparent risks. The paramedics also placed a “spit sock” mask over Barcenas’ head, even though he was not spitting at anyone.
As the ambulance ride continued, Barcenas’ condition worsened. McClure performed CPR as they arrived at the hospital, but Barcenas died two days later.
The Cause of Death
An autopsy revealed that Barcenas died from “sudden cardiac arrest following a prolonged physical altercation and struggle, which included prone positioning and the use of restraints and a sedative (butyrophenone) medication.”
Additionally, the toxic effects of methamphetamine, which Barcenas had in his possession at the time of the arrest, contributed to his death. The manner of death was officially listed as homicide.
Charges and Consequences
McClure, who had been with AMR, was fired three days after the incident for violating several company policies, including the improper handling of handcuffed subjects and placing them face down.
The Boulder County District Attorney, Michael Dougherty, announced that McClure would face manslaughter charges for his “reckless acts” that led to Barcenas’ death. However, Dougherty cleared the officers involved in the arrest of any wrongdoing.
Dougherty emphasized that McClure’s actions were a contributing factor in Barcenas’ untimely death. “Our prosecution team will fight hard to secure the right outcome in this criminal prosecution, particularly for the loving family of Mr. Barcenas and for this community,” he said.
This tragic case has raised important questions about the treatment of individuals in custody, the use of force, and the protocols followed by first responders. Edward McClure now faces serious legal consequences for his role in the events that led to the death of Jesus Lopez Barcenas.
