“29-Year-Old Glen Burnie Resident Dies in Controversial In-Custody Incident”

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has identified the 29-year-old man who died after being restrained on a stretcher in downtown Baltimore as Trea Ellinger. Ellinger became unresponsive while in handcuffs and restrained on his stomach after officers from the Maryland Transit Administration Police and Baltimore Police Department responded to a call. The officers involved have been named, and the incident is being investigated by the attorney general’s Independent Investigations Division. The use of prone restraints is controversial and has been linked to cardiac arrest in some cases. The investigation is ongoing, and body camera footage may be released to the public. Dan Belson reported

The photograph provided depicts the scene where a tragic incident took place in downtown Baltimore, resulting in the death of a 29-year-old resident from Glen Burnie. This information was announced by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office in a news release, which also disclosed the names of the seven officers involved in the incident leading to the individual’s death.

According to the Independent Investigations Division of the attorney general’s office, Trea Ellinger became unresponsive on July 25 while he was restrained on his stomach after emergency medical service units and officers from the Maryland Transit Administration Police and Baltimore Police Department responded to a report of a man lying in the road near South Howard Street. Ellinger was handcuffed and immobilized on a stretcher when this unfortunate turn of events occurred.

Upon the arrival of the Baltimore Police officers, Ellinger was reportedly behaving in an erratic manner. It is important to note that these officers are equipped with body cameras, unlike the MTA Police who arrived at the scene first. Maryland police agencies are mandated to provide their officers with body cameras by 2025, a requirement established by the General Assembly in 2021.

The practice of restraining individuals face-down is controversial due to its potential risks. Although it is meant to assist those experiencing respiratory distress, prone restraints can also lead to cardiac arrest. This issue was highlighted last year when the family of Renardo Green, a resident of Annapolis, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and its police department after Green died from cardiac arrest while being restrained face-down. The civil litigation is currently ongoing, and no police officers have faced criminal charges in relation to Green’s death, although a paramedic was charged with misconduct in office. However, her case was dismissed last month.

According to the Independent Investigations Division, emergency personnel were providing Ellinger with medical aid when he suddenly became unresponsive. Efforts were made to resuscitate him after he was uncuffed and transported to a hospital, but unfortunately, he did not survive.

The Maryland Transit Administration Police officers involved in the incident were identified as Michelle Price, Daitione Garnett, Perry Talbert, Andre Watson, and Ralph Massimei. Price has been with the department for eight years, Garnett for six years, and the remaining three officers for five years. The two Baltimore Police Department officers involved were identified as Sharrod Mobley, who has served for three years, and Ryan Barnes-Klipa, who has served for one year.

The Independent Investigations Division stated that the release of body camera footage to the public would be in accordance with the policies of the Baltimore Police Department and their division. Typically, such footage is made available within 14 days of a death, although there may be delays in certain cases..