Death investigation underway near Ada Givens school

Merced police are investigating a death this morning near Ada Givens Elementary School.

Police do not believe the death is suspicious, officers said.

The man, whose name will not be released until his family has been notified, was described by police as “an elderly Merced man.”

He was found earlier this morning inside a vehicle near the school and was “unresponsive,” Sgt. Joe Weiss told the Sun-Star.

The man was removed from the car, and emergency responders from Riggs Ambulance Services and the Merced Fire Department attempted medical aid. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

“He apparently had some medical history issues that may be related to this,” Weiss said. “It’s not a criminal investigation.”

Law enforcement vehicles blocked the main entrance to the school while parents dropped off their children, said Doug Collins, assistant superintendent for personnel services with Merced City School District.

“We just want to make sure to take care of our children,” Collins said.

Counselors would be available at the school, and teachers were told to be on alert for any students who were concerned or upset by the scene, Collins said.

The district planned to send out a short notice communication to parents.

“It’s unfortunate, and it’s unfortunate that it happened here,” Weiss said. “There were a lot of kids coming to school at the time.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2017 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Death investigation underway near Ada Givens school."