Cedric Lofton’s family attorney released a statement in response to the official autopsy report determining that the 17-year-old died of homicide. 

“This confirms our belief that Sedgwick County personnel at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) in Wichita killed Cedric.. As supported by the video evidence, these individuals unjustifiably and with excessive and unreasonable force pinned Cedric to the ground, ultimately killing the unarmed, 135-pound, 17-year-old African American teenager. Cedric’s family anxiously awaits the findings of the criminal investigation and believes the Sedgwick County District Attorney should pursue criminal charges against the law enforcement personnel responsible for Cedric’s death. Cedric’s death was caused by the hands of the very authorities that were obligated to protect him and make sure he was safe. Instead, they killed him with conscious disregard for the young life in their keeping.”

The manner of death of Cedric “CJ” Lofton, who died while in Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) custody in September, was homicide, according to an autopsy released by Sedgwick County on Monday afternoon.

The cause of death, according to the autopsy, was “complications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle restrained in the prone position.” According to the report, Lofton went into cardiopulmonary arrest after handcuffs were applied to him and while he was in a prone position during the incident on Sept. 24.

Lofton also had a brain injury, acute respiratory failure, and an acute kidney injury. He also tested positive for COVID-19. He tested positive for THC but not for alcohol or other drugs, according to a drug test. While the District Attorney conducts an investigation, the Corrections employees involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.