Body camera footage sparks debate as family questions law enforcement’s role in the death of Indiana man following a medical emergency
DEMOTTE, Ind. – Newly released body camera footage has shed light on a law enforcement encounter involving Rhyker Earl, a 26-year-old Indiana man, who died following a medical incident earlier this month. The footage has raised questions from Earl’s family, who believe his death may be connected to the actions taken by officers during the encounter.
The incident occurred on Sept. 8 when Earl, a father of two diagnosed with epilepsy, experienced a medical episode at his residence in DeMotte, Indiana. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were called to assist Earl after he suffered a seizure. Later that evening, following a more severe episode, some of the same EMTs returned to the scene, accompanied by deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Family members and a subsequent lawsuit allege that during the interaction, law enforcement officers restrained Earl by pinning him to the floor. They claim Earl was handcuffed with his face pressed into a pillow, which they argue restricted his ability to breathe. Following the restraint, Earl was transported to a hospital, where he was placed on life support. He was removed from life support on Sept. 10 after medical tests confirmed there was no brain activity.