Oakland Cops Kill Former NFL Player Doug Martin but Don't Release Any Details About Incident Causing Death

Doug Martin, a former running back for the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died while in Oakland police custody early Saturday morning, multiple sources close to the investigation told this news organization on Sunday.

Martin, 36, died at a hospital after being contacted by Oakland police, who were responding to reports of a home break-in just after 4:15 a.m. in East Oakland, the sources said. His cause of death has yet to be determined, and the incident remains under investigation by multiple local law enforcement agencies.

A statement released by Martin’s family asked for “privacy at this time.”

“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,” the statement read. ”Cause of death is currently unconfirmed.” When reached Sunday evening, a family member referred back to the statement.

Born in Oakland and raised in Stockton, Martin spent seven seasons in the NFL. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 first round (No. 31 overall) out of Boise State and spent six years with the team before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders.

The incident on Saturday morning began when Oakland police were called about person who had broken into a home on the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, in a hills neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo. Police “simultaneously” received notice that the suspected burglar was having “a medical emergency,” according to a statement by the Oakland Police Department.

A “brief struggle” ensued when officers contacted the suspected burglar, police said. The person then became unresponsive after being taken into custody, according to Oakland police. After receiving medical aid by paramedics on scene, the person was taken to a hospital, where they later died, the department’s statement said. [MORE]