Brewster Man’s Death Investigated After Altercation with Law Enforcement
Investigators from both the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police are investigating the death of a 40 year-old Brewster man.
At about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 23, uniformed sheriff’s deputies, state troopers and members of the Brewster Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 report of an emotionally disturbed person throwing objects, yelling, screaming, making aggressive moves toward staff members and pulling the fire alarm at the administrative offices of Life Assist located at 340 Tonetta Lake Road in the Town of Southeast.
According to its web site, Life Assist offers innovative and flexible programs designed to help individuals living with persistent behavioral health disorders make an effective transition toward independent living.
Upon arrival of emergency personnel, they observed a client, Arsen Keleshian, of Brewster, in an agitated state and disrobing while on the front lawn of the facility.
The sheriff’s department said attempts were made to calm Keleshian down when he kicked a deputy in the chest and leg. The officers and staff members attempted to restrain Mr. Keleshian in an effort to render him medical assistance when he became unresponsive. The sheriff’s deputy, state trooper, Brewster firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical service providers immediately performed CPR in an effort to revive him.
Keleshian was transported by ambulance to Putnam Hospital Center’s Emergency Department in Carmel where he later died. The injured deputy was transported to the hospital by a patrol car where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
The cause of Keleshian’s death is being investigated by a team of highly trained criminal investigators from both law enforcement agencies along with Putnam County Coroner, Dr. Michael Nesheiwat. The Putnam County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting. As of this moment, investigators are interviewing staff members and other potential witnesses, while forensics specialists are searching the scene of the incident looking for any evidence that may help determine the cause of death.
An autopsy, ordered by Dr. Nesheiwat, was performed at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24. The results of the post mortem examination and toxicology tests may take up to six weeks.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
