New London — The family of a man who died while in New London police custody has filed a notice of intent to file a wrongful death suit against police, claiming 31-year-old Lashano Gilbert was “wrongfully tased, beaten, arrested and detained by New London police.”

Hartford attorney Jamaal T. Johnson alleges police misconduct, an infringement on Gilbert’s civil rights and actions that led to his death. He said Gilbert’s death caused emotional distress to be suffered by Gilbert’s family.

“New London police made several attempts to cover up their misconduct,” Johnson alleges in the notice dated Feb. 25.

The notice, however, does not provide details about the alleged cover-up.

“As Mr. Gilbert was being transferred into the ambulance at the New London police station, EMT personnel observed no respiratory signs or pulse. EMT and Lawrence + Memorial hospital made several futile attempts to resuscitate Mr. Gilbert,” wrote Johnson, who spelled Gilbert’s first name “Lashono” in the notice.

Gilbert died on Oct. 4, the morning after he was arrested and taken into police custody on charges related to an attempted carjacking. Police used a Taser to stun Gilbert during his initial arrest after police said he rushed at an officer. He was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released back into police custody.

Later on the same day, police said, Gilbert lashed out at officers after escaping a holding cell at police headquarters. Officers used pepper spray and a Taser to subdue Gilbert, who died shortly after.

The circumstances surrounding Gilbert’s death remain under investigation by state police, who are expected to pass along their findings to New London County State’s Attorney Michael Regan. Regan will decide whether there was any criminal wrongdoing by police.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled last month that Gilbert’s death was a homicide, caused by the actions of police that led to complications with an existing sickle cell disease.

His official cause is listed as “physical altercation (restraint electric shock, pepper spray) during acute psychosis complicating sickle cell hemoglobinopathy.”

Acting Police Chief Peter Reichard said in a prior interview that officers tried their best to subdue Gilbert without causing physical injury. It took three officers to get Gilbert under control when he escaped from his holding cell, Reichard said. Gilbert had thrown objects at officers, grabbed at an officer’s Taser and placed a female officer in a headlock and bit her foot and ankle, police said. The incident was captured on video, police said.

Officers aided emergency medical personnel in performing CPR on the way to the hospital, he said.

Police said they had contact with Gilbert at 6:32 a.m. on the morning of the attempted carjacking. Police made contact with Gilbert after receiving a report of man acting in a bizarre manner and following a woman on Garfield Avenue. Police said Gilbert was acting odd but did not appear to be a danger to himself or others at that time.

Johnson sent the notice of intent to sue to the city on behalf of Gilbert’s mother, Donna Smith, and his sister, Dekoeta Smith.

Gilbert is a native of the Bahamas who earned a medical degree in Cuba and had surprised family with his visit to New London.

Gilbert’s family declined to comment, referring questions to their attorney, Johnson, who could not be reached to comment on Monday. A spokesman for Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has declined to comment on questions pertaining to Gilbert’s treatment.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay