Man Killed in Mental Health Custody 

By Baltimore Witness staff - November 2, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Victims |

On Jan. 7, at approximately 5:44 p.m., Eastern District patrol officers responded to a restaurant on the 1200 block of Orleans Street for a report of a male experiencing a behavioral crisis.

Once there, Baltimore Police Department officers located a 63-year-old Paul Bertonazzi, threatening harm to himself and others around him.

Medics responded to the scene in an attempt to treat the male, who became combative and refused treatment.

Crisis intervention trained officers were able to transport the male to Johns Hopkins Hospital for evaluation.

Once at the hospital, the male was handed off to hospital staff for treatment.

On Jan. 13, homicide detectives were notified that the 63-year-old male died at the hospital on Jan. 12.

The victim’s body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s office, where on Nov. 1, the death was ruled a homicide. Doctors have determined that Bertonazzi died as a result of trauma to the body.

The manner in which the victim’s injury occurred is still under investigation.

The Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigation Response Team (SIRT) responded to the scene and is investigating this incident. Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division was contacted, however they concluded that this incident is not a police-involved death.

Homicide detectives are investigating this death. Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.