Inmate dies after being found unresponsive

An inmate has died after being found unresponsive in a Harris County Jail cell Wednesday afternoon, according to the Harris County Sheriff ’s Office.

The cause of death is currently unknown and will be determined by an autopsy.

“We respect the sanctity of every life and we will make sure this loss of life is fully investigated,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted.

The inmate, a man in his early 20s, was involved in an altercation with a detention officer Tuesday night, according to the sheriff ’s office. The officer reported he struck the man in self-defense around 6:45 p.m. after the defendant attacked him inside the downtown jail at 701 San Jacinto.

The man fell to the floor and was taken to the jail’s medical clinic, sheriff ’s office spokesman Jason Spencer said. He was evaluated and determined to be healthy enough to return to his cell. Staff found him unresponsive in the cell Wednesday afternoon, and he was pronounced deceased at the hospital at 1:27 p.m.

Houston police will investigate the death, as required by state law.