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"An investigation into (Antoine) Tobias' death has been initiated by the Sheriff's office and the Coroner's office. The Coroner's office took possession of Tobias' remains and has scheduled an autopsy to determine the cause of death," according to a news release from St. Tammany Sheriff's Capt. George Bonnett.
He says Tobias had reported trouble breathing.
"Tobias was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on January 2, 2013, after being released from University Hospital where he was being treated for his injuries following a gun battle with deputies on December 25, 2012"
Bonnett says the prison nurse called paramedics.
"Acadian Ambulance service was contacted to transport Tobias to the hospital. Prior to their arrival, Tobias stopped breathing and became unresponsive," he explained. "The nurse and jail staff immediately began administering CPR."
The release says that the staff revived Tobias and he was transported to the hospital where he died a short time later.
He was initially injured after allegedly shooting at cops on Christmas night.
"The deputies returned fire, striking Tobias multiple times. Tobias was also bitten by a K-9 dog during the incident," Bonnett said.
Tobias' family had called police.
"The Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call from a residence on N. 10th St. in Alton at approximately 11:00 PM... The caller told deputies her family had locked themselves in the home to avoid her son-in-law, who was armed with a handgun, was behaving in an extremely violent manner and was attempting to break into the residence," the sheriff's office released on December 26th.
It went on to state that when deputies got to the home, the suspect had already gotten into the house.
"Tobias had broken into the home and was inside with his wife, two children, mother-in-law and step father-in-law. He was still armed. Deputies surrounded the home in an effort to determine which area of the house Tobias was located. A deputy near a bathroom window made contact with the family, who had locked themselves in that room. The deputy helped all family members exit through the bathroom window and led them to safety."
Bonnett says the 40-year-old suspect then came outside too.
"Tobias exited the house through the same window, still armed with a handgun. Once outside the house, Tobias fired multiple rounds at deputies."
That's when the captain says cops shot Tobias.
