De Motte, Indiana – A tragic incident involving 26-year-old Rhyker Earl has left a Jasper County family devastated and seeking answers. Earl, who had two seizures on September 8, ultimately died in police custody. Newly released body camera footage sheds light on the events that transpired leading up to his death.
After suffering two seizures at home, Earl’s family called 911 and officers arrived at their home. Earl, still confused after the seizure, was in the process of getting dressed to go to the hospital when a scuffle ensued between him and the officers. The officers can be seen wrestling Earl to the ground and placing him in handcuffs.
Despite pleas from Earl to stop, he was given three sedative shots by EMS and officers, which ultimately led to him becoming quiet. The family, witnessing the distressing scene, raised concerns about Earl’s condition as officers continued their efforts to calm him down. Sadly, Earl later died at the hospital.
Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson Sr. defended the actions of his deputies, stating that they followed proper protocol to prevent Earl from injuring himself. The sheriff also mentioned that Earl was not under arrest but was handcuffed for safety reasons during the medical emergency.
The case is currently under investigation by state police to determine if any law enforcement or EMS personnel could face criminal charges. The sheriff criticized the attorneys representing the Earl family for allegedly spreading false information about the incident, calling it an attempt to set the stage for a civil claim. The community and nation await further developments on this tragic case.
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Photo credit www.wishtv.com