A man who died after he had an encounter with Paterson police officers had spinal meningitis, News 12 New Jersey has learned.

Jameek Lowery, 27, died Monday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. An official cause of death has not yet been released to the public.

Lowery filmed himself on Facebook Live early Saturday morning at the Paterson Police Headquarters. He was apparently there seeking help after using ecstasy. Lowery seemed distressed in the video, asking for water and begging people not to kill him.

Police officers did not offer Lowery water, but called an ambulance to take him to the hospital. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office confirms that police officers did need to use force to get Lowery in the ambulance. But the office says that Lowery did not suffer any trauma.

Family members tell a different story and say that Lowery had bruises on his face. News 12 has seen a photo of Lowery in a hospital bed with blood on his face, but could not confirm how he obtained the injuries.

The family says that they want answers about if excessive force was used on Lowery. Hundreds of supporters have held a protest rally in Paterson two nights in a row asking for answers.

 

"I'm even hoping that they can get an independent autopsy outside of the state so we can make sure that nothing has been covered up,” says family advocate Minister Corey Teague. “We want to make sure the family is treated with respect and the case is handled unbiasedly”

Teague says that he is already petitioning for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to get involved in the investigation. The Lowery Family is expected to be back at City Hall Thursday evening.

The results of Lowery’s autopsy could come as early as Thursday morning.

Health officials say that anyone who recently had contact with Lowery should be checked out by a doctor.