Two incidents under review

Two incidents under review

NORFOLK, VA— The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Division is reviewing two incidents that occurred inside the Norfolk City Jail.

First, at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16th a deputy was alerted to an incident inside a cell. The deputy discovered an inmate hanging and immediately began performing life-saving measures. The inmate was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he remains in critical condition. The inmate’s identity is not being released at this time.

Additionally, just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17th inmate Tarius Pray, 49, experienced a medical emergency inside his dormitory cell. He was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he later died.

Tarius Pray was serving a three-year sentence for possession with intent to distribute drugs and was expected to be released in July of 2021.

The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office is committed to creating an environment that protects the life, health, safety, and security of those in our custody. We are saddened by the loss of any life in our facility and are committed to a full internal review. Per protocol, the Norfolk Police Department is also conducting an undetermined death investigation.

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The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is a values driven organization
committed to public safety, public service, and public trust.