Police Probe Death Of Popular Bowie State Adviser Days After He's Charged With Child Abuse
ODENTON, Md. (WJZ)-- Mystery surrounds the death of a popular academic adviser at Bowie State University. It comes just days after he's charged with assault and child abuse.
Meghan McCorkell has the search for answers.
Patrick Raphael Toney was out on bail on those child abuse charges when he had a bizarre run-in with police.
Hours after his release on bail, police say they found Toney erratic on the side of the road throwing things in the street.
"The sergeant approached the individual and the person immediately started yelling at her to shoot him," Anne Arundel County Police Lt. Glenn Shanahan said.
Police officials tell WJZ the 41-year-old became violent and spit at officers. They shackled him and put a hood over his head. But the outburst continued.
"This individual was trying to kick out the windows and the whole time was yelling at the top of his lungs," Shanahan said.
Halfway to the hospital, Toney became unresponsive. Four days later, he died.
Now, friends and family have questions about his death.
Toney worked at Bowie State for the past 10 years advising incoming freshman and transfer students.
Students held a candlelight vigil for Toney, who grew close to those he advised.
"It became more about us talking about God, talking about life in general. More than him just being an adviser, he became my mentor, as well," Joshua Spivey, a Bowie State student, said.
Toney also taught a freshman seminar.
Shawn Etape was in that class.
"It was a class that changed my life because in that class he felt like he had to fix the world in that one class," he said.
Loved ones now want answers about Toney's death.
A lawyer for his family tells WJZ's media partner The Baltimore Sun: "The family is in shock from this. You don't expect your spouse to just die on the way home."
The state medical examiner has not determined the cause of Toney's death.
Officials are waiting for toxicology results.
Anne Arundel County police say Toney was not breathing when they arrived at the emergency room. He was revived at the hospital, but later died.
