Prescription Med May Have Led to Police Shooting in Normal Heights

In a September 22 letter addressed to Chief William Lansdowne, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis indicated that the prescription drug Carbamazepine could have been to blame for the violent behavior of 31-year-old Nathan Gable Manning, who died from a single gunshot wound from a San Diego Police Officer's gun last May in Normal Heights.

In the letter to Lansdowne, the District Attorney summarized the events of May 20. The investigation explained that Manning was chasing his roommate down Adams Avenue in a violent rage. The roommate had asked people on the street to call the police. They did and Detective Jones arrived at the scene a few minutes later. A scuffle ensued. Manning got the detective in a chokehold and reached for the pistol. Jones secured the 9mm pistol and fired a single, fatal shot into Manning's abdomen.

"Fearing he would be choked unconscious and the subject would get his gun and shoot him, Detective Jones drew his pistol and fired once at Mr. Manning," read the investigation from the DA's office.

"Based on these circumstances, it's apparent that Detective Jones fired at Mr. Manning in self-defense, and he therefore bears no criminal liability for his actions."

Also included in Dumanis's letter were results from the autopsy report, which found that Manning had traces of the prescription drug Carbamazepine in his system.

The prescription med is used to control certain types of seizures and to reduce "abnormal electricity in the brain" in people suffering from bipolar disorder and manic depression, as well as to treat posttraumatic stress disorder.

Dumanis's letter included a list of potential side effects from the drug. "The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines Carbamazepine as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Regarding precautions a patient should take while using Carbamazepine, the literature states, "Your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal while you are taking Carbamazepine for the treatment of epilepsy, mental illness, or other conditions."

The investigation, however, did not reveal the reasons why Manning had been prescribed Carbamazepine.

Spokesperson for the District Attorney's office, Paul Levikow, was unable to respond to questions about Manning's mental health in time for publication.