Lincoln Police say a man has died after suffering a medical episode while being placed under arrest.
LPD says Monday afternoon, officers were called to the 600 block of North 35th Street after multiple people reported seeing a man trespassing in several yards and stumbling around. Police say as officers were arriving, they were notified that the man had entered a home in the 500 block of North 35th street and was fighting with the homeowner.
Investigators say the first officer on scene saw the homeowner restraining the man, later identified as 38 year old Brandon Ziemelis, on the ground in the basement of the home. Police say as the officer started to place Ziemelis in custody, the officer realized that he was experiencing a medical episode.
LPD says the officer immediately called for emergency medical assistance and began CPR. They say the next arriving officer also assisted with CPR until Lincoln Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and took up life-saving measures. Police say Ziemelis was transported to a local area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators interviewed the homeowner, a 40 year old man, who told officers that he was in the basement of his home when he heard his children shouting from outside the house. Police say the homeowner said he saw Ziemelis, whom he did not know, enter his house without permission and close the door behind him.
LPD says when the homeowner confronted Ziemelis about what he was doing in his home, he saw that Ziemelis was holding an object in his hand similar to an ice scraper. Police say Ziemelis then swung the object several times at the homeowner, who then hit Ziemelis in the face several times before restraining him until police arrived.
Police say since Ziemelis began experiencing a medical episode, which ultimately resulted in death, while Lincoln police officers were on scene, his death is being investigated as an in-custody death by the LPD Criminal Investigations Unit. Investigators say besides handcuffing Ziemelis, LPD officers did not use any other forms of control.
LPD crime scene technicians processed the scene for digital and forensic evidence. Meanwhile investigators interviewed several witnesses and canvassed the area for additional evidence.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine Ziemelis' cause of death.
Police say the officer’s involvement was captured on body worn camera in its entirety, but the footage will not be released due to the ongoing investigation. Neither officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.