Man breaks into home, arrested, dies

PENSACOLA, Fla (WALA) - Escambia County deputies responded to a strange incident just after midnight Monday on Robinson Street in Cantonment.

They said it all began when they got reports of a man trying to break into houses on the street.

“When they got to the scene, witnesses pointed them to a house where the man was. Deputies responded, and it was evident the door had been kicked in or forced open. When they walked in the house, Mr. Lett was on the floor in the living room,” said Sgt. Mike Ward with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said they found Tracy Deshawn LettIt in Exieverell Bonner’s home.

“You know, we were fixing to go to sleep, and I heard rumbling in the house. I thought 'Oh Lord,’" Bonner said.

She was in a back room when Lett allegedly forced himself into her home. She said that’s where she stayed until deputies arrived.

Authorities said Lett was showing irrational behavior.

“They gave him verbal commands to put his hands behind his back. He didn’t comply but he did have his hands above his head. They placed cuffs on his wrists until they could figure out what was going on,” said Ward.

It was then that Lett allegedly began going into a medical distress.

“He lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Deputies then performed CPR,” said Ward.

EMS was called, and Lett was LifeFlighted to a local hospital where he died.

Authorities said they’re still investigating what could have been wrong with Lett.

Bonner said she’s still shocked at what happened and said nothing like this has happened to her before.

Many on the street said they hope something like it doesn’t happen again.

Lett had a criminal history including multiple arrests for larceny.

Investigators are awaiting autopsy results before they'll know the cause of death.