Garden Grove Police Ask DA To Review Case Of Man Who Died After Allegedly Attacking Paramedics

GARDEN GROVE (CBSLA.com) — The Garden Grove Police Department is asking the Orange County DA's office to review the case of a 31-year-old man who died of a heart attack after they say he attacked and punched paramedics.

"Our investigation found that the fire personnel acted in self-defense," said Garden Grove Police Chief Kevin Raney. "However, due to the tragic outcome, we have asked the DA's office for an independent review of the matter."

The police said a drug test taken after the January 5, 2014 incident indicated Peter Chi Lam had amphetamines in his system at the time he allegedly assaulted paramedics.

The man's mother had reportedly called the fire department on Sunday evening asking for help to deal with her son's psychiatric issue. Officials said when they arrived, Lam not only refused treatment he assaulted them.

Authorities said the medics were able to subdue Lam at his home in the 8600 block of Westminster Avenue and transport him to Garden Grove Medical Center. He died at the hospital on January 9.

"When our fire personnel arrived on the scene, the last thing they expected was to be attacked by the very person that they were trying to assist," said Garden Grove Fire Chief David Barlag.