Authorities are reviewing an incident in which officers appeared to recognize that excessive force had been used moments before a man became unresponsive during a confrontation, according to body-camera audio captured at the scene.
The footage, referenced in an initial report, shows officers restraining a man identified only as Tony. During the struggle, one officer abruptly says, “He’s not breathing,” followed by urgent calls of “Tony! Tony!” as responders attempt to rouse him.
Throughout the encounter, officers express rising concern. “Oh, buddy… I didn’t say now,” one officer is heard saying, before instructing others to stop. Another voice pleads, “Please!” while a separate officer asks, “What did you take today?” Moments later someone adds, “You’re okay… Oh God. This sucks.”
At one point, an officer notes the man’s continued movement: “You don’t need to be squirming, man,” to which the restrained individual responds, “I was squirming in my heavy sleeping bag.” Officers then attempt to move him, urging, “Let’s go up here.”
As the situation escalates, another officer reports that the man’s mother had been contacted: “I just got his mom on the phone. She knows all this stuff.”
Officials have not yet released further details regarding the condition of the man, the cause of the medical emergency, or whether disciplinary action will be taken. The department stated that a full internal review is underway and that the body-camera footage will be evaluated to determine whether protocol was violated.
