Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Rhyker Earl
Gender : Male
Age : 26
Race : White
Date : 09/08/2024
Location : Bahama Drive, Island Grove Mobile Home Park
City : DeMotte
County : Jasper
State : Indiana
Agency : Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Asphyxiation
Event : Asphyxiated by police during seizure
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 09/08/2024, 26-year-old Rhyker Earl experienced a seizure at his residence on Bahama Drive in the Island Grove Mobile Home Park, DeMotte, Indiana. His grandmother called 911 for medical assistance. Jasper County Sheriff's deputies and paramedics arrived on the scene.
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While in a postictal state—a period of confusion following a seizure—Earl reportedly became agitated. Family members stated that during this state, Earl accidentally bumped into a responder. In response, deputies restrained Earl by pinning him face-down on the floor and handcuffing his hands behind his back. Body camera footage shows Earl pleading for relief, saying, "Grandma, please, make 'em get off of me."
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Approximately two minutes after Earl stopped moving, first responders noticed he wasn't breathing. They initiated CPR and transported him to a hospital, where he was placed on life support. Earl died two days later, on 09/10/2024.
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The Lake County Coroner's autopsy determined that Earl died of natural causes with no evidence of trauma. However, Earl's family disputes this finding, asserting that the restraint methods used by deputies contributed to his death. They have retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump and are calling for transparency and accountability, including the release of all body camera footage.
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The Indiana State Police are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality
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Last Update: 12/06/2024
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/rhyker-earl-demotte-indiana-jasper-county-sheriff-body-camera-cam-video-death-seizure-custody-handcuffs-family-ben-crump-kids-father-travis-epilepsy/531-9b514a35-ef34-4cfa-b3ad-67400847b8b9
https://abc7chicago.com/post/jasper-county-sheriff-responds-misleading-claims-rhyker-earls-death-after-being-handcuffed-pinned-floor-deputies/15325371/
https://wgntv.com/northwest-indiana/gross-falsehoods-jasper-county-sheriff-addresses-rhyker-earls-death/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/rhyker-earl-family-reaction-body-camera-video-seizure-pinned-handcuffed/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/rhyker-earl-autopsy-pinned-police-indiana-sheriffs-deputies/
