Family of Stamford man who died in police custody pleads for details

The family of a Stamford man who died in police custody Wednesday held a news conference where casting blame was avoided, but answers were sought.

News 12 Staff

Oct 25, 2019, 9:10 PM

Updated 1,655 days ago

Share:

The family of a Stamford man who died in police custody Wednesday held a news conference where casting blame was avoided, but answers were sought.
Members of the NAACP, clergy and community leaders joined the family of Steven Barrier, 23, at a Stamford church Friday. They pleaded for the details surrounding his death.
Stamford police responded late Tuesday night to a home at the 100 block of West Avenue. They originally said the call came in as a domestic violence incident between mother and son -- but Barrier's mother Valerie Jaddo says she was asleep, and that her daughter called 911. It's not clear what happened between the siblings.
Barrier was arrested and taken to police headquarters for booking, but when he got there, he went into medical distress. EMS brought him to Stamford Hospital, where he later died Wednesday -- his birthday.
Acting Stamford Police Chief Tom Wuennemann told News 12 Connecticut police never used any kind of force with Barrier.
On Friday, Stamford Mayor David Martin released a statement, saying in part, "The death of this man is an absolute tragedy and I sympathize with the grief his family is feeling." Martin went on to pledge to make all information, including body camera footage, public once the state attorney's office signs off.
The news conference was the first time Jaddo spoke publicly about her son's death.
"Three days ago, my son needed help. Instead of receiving help, he lost his life," says Jaddo. "I am left with a giant pain in my heart, and a thousand questions about what happened during my son's last hours."
An autopsy was done, but the cause of death is pending the results of toxicology tests, which will likely take four to six weeks.
The mayor says the preliminary report found no evidence of inflicted injuries.


More from News 12
2:43
EXCLUSIVE: Bridgeport truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash says he’s grateful to be alive

EXCLUSIVE: Bridgeport truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash says he’s grateful to be alive

2:22
Mild and muggy in Connecticut; rain returns by midweek

Mild and muggy in Connecticut; rain returns by midweek

1:43
Saravanaa Bhavan a restaurant serving Indian vegetarian cuisine opens in Stamford

Saravanaa Bhavan a restaurant serving Indian vegetarian cuisine opens in Stamford

Former Bridgeport official pleads guilty to charges related to primaries and election in 2017, 2018

Former Bridgeport official pleads guilty to charges related to primaries and election in 2017, 2018

2:11
Security camera footage shows onset of deadly Stamford house fire

Security camera footage shows onset of deadly Stamford house fire

1:48
'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

0:36
Sen. Bob Duff recognizes employees who worked on reopening I-95 in Norwalk

Sen. Bob Duff recognizes employees who worked on reopening I-95 in Norwalk

0:20
Bridgeport PD: Pedestrian struck by car on Seaview Avenue

Bridgeport PD: Pedestrian struck by car on Seaview Avenue

1:05
National Water Safety Month: 40,000 free swim lessons offered across tri-state area offered across tri-state area

National Water Safety Month: 40,000 free swim lessons offered across tri-state area offered across tri-state area

0:36
Sen. Blumenthal to seek emergency help for Norwalk businesses impacted by I-95 shutdown

Sen. Blumenthal to seek emergency help for Norwalk businesses impacted by I-95 shutdown

0:56
Nonprofit builders group celebrates 20th anniversary with annual fundraiser in Darien

Nonprofit builders group celebrates 20th anniversary with annual fundraiser in Darien

0:49
Mother’s Day event in Greenwich looks to empower women

Mother’s Day event in Greenwich looks to empower women

0:59
Pickleball America hosts first Dinko de Mayo Tournament

Pickleball America hosts first Dinko de Mayo Tournament

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Connecticut National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Connecticut National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

0:42
Texas, prolific retired Connecticut State Police K-9, dies from illness

Texas, prolific retired Connecticut State Police K-9, dies from illness

0:44
Handball tournament honors former Bridgeport state representative

Handball tournament honors former Bridgeport state representative

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:34
State police: Merging car collided with tanker to cause I-95 overpass fire

State police: Merging car collided with tanker to cause I-95 overpass fire