Marine vet Nathan Hoang died in Hayward police custody after being sedated with midazolam during a mental health crisis. His case, disclosed 6 weeks later, raises concerns over sedative use and police response to psychiatric emergencies.

According to Bay Area News Group, Nathan Hoang, a 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran and father of six from Hayward, died in police custody in March, nine days after a paramedic injected him with midazolam—a controversial sedative linked to several in-custody deaths across the country. The incident, which remained unreported by police for six weeks, began when Hoang—suffering from a mental health episode possibly exacerbated by methamphetamine use—mistakenly broke into a home on Virginia Street, believing his children were in danger. Officers responded, tased and handcuffed him, and placed him on a gurney, after which the paramedic administered the sedative. Minutes later, Hoang became unresponsive and was declared brain dead.

Hoang, who served two combat tours in Iraq and suffered from PTSD, had long struggled with mental health issues. His ex-wife, Cynthia Fernandez, emphasized that Hoang was a devoted father and a kind-hearted person who experienced psychotic episodes where he believed his family was in danger. She believes he was in one of those episodes the morning of his arrest, searching for his children.

The use of midazolam by first responders has drawn scrutiny in recent years. An Associated Press investigation found at least 94 deaths linked to the sedative between 2012 and 2021, 16 of which occurred in California. Medical experts say that midazolam can cause or exacerbate breathing and heart failure in already distressed individuals, especially when used outside hospital settings without appropriate safeguards. National medical associations have warned against using sedatives for behavioral control outside of clinical environments due to the risks involved.

Multiple investigations are now underway, including by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Hayward Police Department, and an independent firm of force experts. Police Chief Bryan Matthews cited the “sensitive nature” of the case as the reason for the delay in public disclosure. Legal experts suggest that Hoang’s death may give rise to civil rights claims, as chemical restraint without medical necessity or consent may violate constitutional protections under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Hoang’s death echoes similar fatal encounters involving veterans with mental illness, raising broader concerns about how law enforcement handles mental health crises and the risks of sedative use during arrests.

Image: Alernon77/Getty Images

Military officials have confirmed that seven U.S. Marines were killed and many others were injured last night during a training exercise at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada.

NBC News reports, "a mortar exploded during a live-fire training exercise overnight... According to one account, a 60-millimeter mortar shell exploded in a tube as Marines were preparing to fire it. Another account said that the shell exploded as Marines were picking it up to load it."

Four of the Marines were apparently killed instantly while "two others died while waiting to be flown to the hospital," according to NBC News. The Hawthorne Army Depot website says it's "an archive site for storing slow-moving ammunition and stocks awaiting demilitarization." It's 140 miles southeast from Reno.

The incident is under investigation; Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force said, "We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time. We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice."

The decision, however, did not come without much in the way of mayhem. Four protesters were arrested, one of them for allegedly bitch-slapping a pig cop, another for busting out a knife (which he said was needed as Code Pink draped him a pink banner and he doesn't look good in a pink) and two skateboarders. Jodie Evans, a cofounder of Code Pink and a yoga studio owner, says they'd like to put the measure on a ballot anyways, so, there. Hey, maybe they can combine that with the Peace Center and Berkeley will shoot off holographic images into the air, something we're sure, many in Berkeley would get off on, especially if it was done to Floyd. Anyways, you can read a live blog of the protest here, including details of dueling radios consisting of one side blasting the National Anthem and the other Culture Club’s "The War Song." No, we’re just joking, they blasted Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and, wait for it-- Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'," Jesus, aren't there any songs they can play that isn't over 40 years old? There's gotta be at least five Rage Against the Machine songs they could have played and they friggin' rock. Or, hell, Black Sabbath's "War Pigs." Come on everybody: "Generals gathered in their masses/Just like witches at black masses/Evil minds that plot destruction/Sorcerers of deaths construction."

Anti-war fans, pro-war zealots, '60s fetishists, barely-legal Marines, the unshowered, and young college students trying to impress their boyfriends will be out in full force on the other side of the Bay later this evening. Why? Because after receiving loads of national criticism, as well as a few death threats, the Berkeley City Council will decide tonight whether or not to "revoke a letter it approved two weeks ago telling the Marines they are 'unwelcome intruders' and should leave their post." What's more:

The city [of Berkeley] is advising staff members who work at Maudelle Shirek City Hall to leave by 3 p.m. and keep public meetings to a minimum. The city also is setting up barricades so staff can get in and out of the building safely and is beefing up police, fire and paramedic services throughout the day. Code Pink activists got an early start on the demonstration by camping out Monday night on the lawn at City Hall. About 60 activists, including a few of the tree-sitters from UC Berkeley's Oak Grove, danced, sang, listened to jazz and drank carrot juice as they pitched their tents for the night.

Mmm, carrot juice. Anyway, you can read more about the current protest partying here and here.

In other East Bay news, Oakland just counted its eighth homicide occurrence since last Friday. Might want to check on your neighbor there, Berkeley.

Republican (it goes without saying) Assemblyman Guy Houston of San Ramon wants to slice off more than $3 million in state funding from Berkeley for their stance against Marine recruiting. He will introduce legislation to "withhold state transportation money until Berkeley rescinds its 'war on the U.S. Marine Corps.'"

Jesus.

In a move that will ideally hurt his political career -- since it's a waste of time, a symbolic prick move, and has little to zero chance of ever passing -- the flame-haired Houston's move parallels other Republican Congressmen. A few others on the right have also whined about financially destroying the city of Berkeley after the twee and annoying anti-war group Code Pink picketed downtown Marine recruitment center, prompting the city council to approve a measure that urged the Marine recruiters to leave their downtown office.

Next week, according to CBS 5, "Berkeley council members will consider rescinding the Marines' declaration to defuse the controversy." Way to stay strong.

In fact, it was just a tarmac/security-check issue preventing them from entering the passenger terminal for a cinematic "meet and greet" with their family and friends.

Read more about it here and here.