Police ID man who died in custody
Mark Parras suffered medical episode during incident, APD says
Investigators have identified the man who they said died from a medical episode shortly after being taken into police custody Friday night as 43-yearold Mark Parras.
But they have not released any additional information about the incident and Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, Gilbert Gallegos, did not respond to requests for more information Monday. He did not respond to questions about what the medical episode was or if Parras was threatening anyone.
On Friday, another spokesman said officers were called to Ventana West Park, near Paseo del Norte and Rainbow NW, around 7 p.m. for reports of a man “displaying” a gun at the park. Officer Daren DeAguero said he was “agitated” but “compliant” and was taken into custody. He said no shots were fired by Parras or officers. DeAguero said Parras had already been put in handcuffs when he had some sort of medical episode. He said although officers tried to revive him, he died.
It is unclear whether any officers are on administrative leave following his death.
Parras has a scant criminal history in New Mexico. According to online court records, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence in 2000 and faced two charges of driving while intoxicated over the past 13 years, but both cases were dismissed. The most recent case was in February.
Parras’ family members did not immediately respond to requests for interviews.