The Valley Independent Investigative Team is conducting an independent investigation after they say a man technically died after being in Federal Way Police Department custody, but the officers used no force as they assisted the deceased man.

At 7:23 a.m. Sept. 18, officers responded to a welfare check regarding a confused 49-year-old man in the middle of Pacific Highway South and South 320th St., according to a media release from VIIT. Officers subsequently made contact with the man and got him out of the roadway.

The release said that officers immediately called for aid to evaluate the man. The man was then transported to the hospital for an involuntary evaluation, where they determined he had severe internal injuries, and the man died the next day.

The release said that because the man was technically in police custody after being involuntarily admitted to the hospital, VIIT is conducting an independent investigation. VIIT received the case late Sept. 26, 2024.