CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A police department in North Carolina has requested that the state investigate the death of a man who died after being taken into custody.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Thursday that the State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to conduct an independent review of the death of Harold Jermaine Easter, 41, news outlets reported.
Easter was arrested Jan. 23 after officers said he was seen participating in a drug transaction. Police said he was in possession of cocaine and marijuana at the time of his arrest, news outlets reported.
During the booking process, police said Easter lost consciousness. Officers gave Easter medical aid and had him transported to a hospital. He died Sunday, according to news outlets.
Four officers and a sergeant have been placed on administrative leave. One of the officers placed on leave is Brentley Vinson, The Charlotte Observer reported. Vinson was cleared after fatally shooting Keith Lamont Scott in 2016. That police shooting sparked days of unrest. One person died, dozens were arrested and there were millions of dollars in damage.