See what happened when this attacker brought a knife to a gun fight

Crime

26-Year-Old With Down Syndrome Asphyxiated While Resisting Police Over Movie Ticket

Feb. 18, 2013 6:15pm Liz Klimas

The case of a 26-year-old Maryland man with Down syndrome who died last month in police custody after he was removed from a theater for refusing to leave a movie he had already seen has been ruled a homicide after an autopsy revealed he was asphyxiated.

Death of Man With Down Syndrome While in Police Custody Ruled a Homicide

Robert Ethan Saylor (Photo via Frederick News Post)

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Jennifer Bailey said Robert Ethan Saylor died on Jan. 12 after resisting arrest by three deputies at a Frederick movie theater. The Frederick News Post reported that Saylor, who was in handcuffs for refusing to leave or purchase another ticket, experienced a medical emergency and was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The News Post reported former law enforcement officer Dr. George Kirkham, who is a professor of criminology at Florida State University, saying it seems Saylor might have suffered from positional asphyxia:

Positional asphyxia is typically the result of an intense struggle and often involves a person who is handcuffed and lying on their stomach after the struggle. Kirkham said people often panic and can’t catch their breath. People with larger stomachs are particularly vulnerable, he said, because their bellies will push into their sternums, making breathing even more difficult.

“People get into almost like a drowning swimmer panic, and they’re just fighting for their lives,” Kirkham said. “Their cardiovascular system is just going wild.”

Kirkham also noted to the News Post that the phenomenon is well-known and that those who are on drugs or who have mental issues might be more susceptible. Bailey told the News Post officers at the sheriff’s department are trained about positional asphyxia.

The officers involved remain on duty with the department while the investigation is underway. No charges will be made, if any, until the investigation is complete and the Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith has reviewed the details, the News Post reported.

According to Saylor’s obituary, he actually had a strong interest in learning about police and security agencies.

“More than anything, Ethan loved his family, his friends, his loyal and caring staff, and his cat Gracie (Fireball),” Saylor’s obituary read. “Ethan was a loved and cherished member of Damascus Road Community Church, where he participated in the men’s Choir. Ethan was known by the congregation as ‘the best hugger’ and was warmly embraced by all.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(H/T: Buzzfeed)

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (229)

19.5
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:55am
These cops murdered this handicapped young man…theirs no excuse. If you cant restrain a handicapped person without killing him then i suggest a new line of work..nobody in my town calls the cops anymore, for anything..cops are no longer trusted by society

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Merrymix
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:13am
I’m not even understanding this. Sometimes when I arrive late for a movie, I stay and watch what I missed in the second showing. I’ve never, never, never been asked to leave. Even if a person wanted to watch the movie through twice to get a better understanding, so what???? HE ALREADY PAID TO SEE THE MOVIE. Movies already cost too much. What exactly is the theater out if he sits through another showing???

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Rowgue
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:25am
  Exactly. He was probably the only one sitting in an otherwise empty theatre. On the rare occasion I do go to a movie theatre anymore there are usually 3-5 other people there if any. It’s not like they had a sold out theatre with people waiting and had to make sure every seat was available.
  
  Report this comment
Rowgue
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:52am
Somebody is dead over a movie ticket. That’s the bottom line, and it’s unacceptable. And the theatre staff are as much at fault as the police for not stopping it when it was clearly out of hand and excessive.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
jackpassmore
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:34am
screw this, all you Rebubli-pubics are police state cheerleaders. Did this guy (kid) have any family/friends nearby who could have been brought in to diffuse this?, What age was the cop who dropped him on his face? When you saturate the population with punk cops, you end up with contempt for those they supposedly serve!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Creg Maroney
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:14am
Good Lord…Just let him watch the movie. Maybe his parents/care givers always let him watch movies by himself and he new to stay there until they came and got him. The movie ended and the police murdered a person with down syndrome for not leaving the building.

Who are traing the police to have no common sense?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Diane TX
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:47am
“According to Saylor’s obituary, he actually had a strong interest in learning about police and security agencies.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well that’s nice, but what does it have to do with anything? He would never qualify to be either one – unless the standards are really low these days.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Rowgue
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:54am
  Did you read the article? The standards are clearly very low these days.
  
  Report this comment
Nabuquduriuzhur
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:44am
re: V-MindMeld

I take it you’ve never been around a handicapped person who is violent. They are among the most dangerous people in our society when they become violent because 1. You don’t know what they will do or how far they will go, 2. You don’t know whom they will hurt or kill, and 3. You want to stop them without hurting them when they are violent, but because of 1 and 2, you don’t know what is going to work. When someone is violent, you can’t “just let them” be violent.

Having a disability is no excuse to attack a police officer. Having a disability is no excuse to get out of control like that— if a person can’t be trusted in public to act without violence, they don’t belong in public because of the potential harm to people.

I note in passing that I’m disabled. Radionuclide contamination prior to birth.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Rowgue
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:19am
  Except it doesn’t say anywhere that he attacked the police. It says he resisted arrest, not the same thing and completely understandable. Especially in a situation where being arrested seems silly at best even to someone without down’s. It goes against human nature to passively submit to being shackled and imprisoned for something so idiotic. Your natural instinct is to pull away and say hold on a minute here what the hell is going on this is crazy. Anybody that says they would never resist has never been arrested for something they didn’t do or that is so silly and insignificant they can’t comprehend that they’re actually being arrested.
  
  Report this comment
- lefty5005
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:49am
  I have never, never seen a Down’s person who could not be restrained without killing them. Down’s people do “not” get big and cannot be compared to some other types of disabilities. Typically DS people are very timid and non-provocative. 10:1 the cops did something to provoke this young man or more likely just killed him by handcuffing him and then he panicked because he was scared. Do not put handicapped people into one group, they are as varied and normal people and must be treated accordingly.
  
  Report this comment
bemo234
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:20am
It’s hard NOT to recognize someone is Down syndrome. My brother was born with Down syndrome and as a result I got to meet many other children with it. One of the things these children seem to be born without is the bad gene. They have great big harts of gold and relish simple things like a hug, seeing other people smile, puppies or a happy moment in a movie.

You will always catch a glimpse of innocence, wonder, honesty, generosity and beauty through the eyes of a Down syndrome child. They never grow up; they are the perpetual loving child.
Those with Down syndrome are special needs people; they usually have a short lifespan and sometime limited in their mobility. They usually have few friends because they are odd and sometimes hard to understand.

This Down syndrome young man probably seen something in the movie that he liked and wanted to see it again, and so what?!?! Was the theater really going to lose that much money on one seat? How much does a little compassion cost?

As a cop I would have bought him another ticket, Robert Ethan was truly one of the least among us, there definitely had to be a better way to deal with this situation, Shame on the theater and shame on the cops. It’s a sad day when everyone is not outraged by a story like this.

People like this and their families, wounded worriers, the elderly etc are some of the people we hope to help, Please, Please support the Crutch Foundation, even a small donation will help https://www.wepay.com/don

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Xylliab_of_the_Znarghh
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:14am
  People with Down Syndrome are people first and foremost, and just like the rest of us, they are all different. You don’t always catch a glimpse of innocence, wonder, honesty, generosity and beauty from a person with Down syndrome. That is a stereotype that may be true in many cases but not all. They do never grow up, at least not entirely, but they are not all the perpetual loving child. I know from personal experience that some of them can be very angry and nasty people. They may have good reason to be angry, but like most angry people they often misdirect their anger instead of taking it out only on those who deserve it.
  
  Report this comment
Chancellor
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:09am
I have personally seen the transformation of a lot of the Police in the United States. When I come back to the U.S. I rent a car and us it to drive around a few nights ago I was coming to a toll booth and out of respect for the toll taker I dimmed my headlights but left my fog lights on so as not to blind him.

Hand my money and ticket and around the corner of the booth a NYS Police man ask “What the F#ck was wrong with your lights?” My wife was in the car with me and I answered “You kiss your mother with that mouth?”

The toll keeper laughed and he walked away…..But this story about the boy is just a commons sense thing the cops should have been aware of. But now they have this Attitude that we are all criminals and should not be trusted. Way too much of this going on I for one wouldn’t lift a finger to help the police nowadays!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- lefty5005
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:54am
  That behavior is more the norm than the exception…unfortunately. Thank goodness it didn’t escalate but it could have with you possibly being shot. The cop obviously realized he was in the wrong saying what he did. I wonder how many cops have shot and killed people who didn’t deserve a second look but “they were having a bad night.”
  
  Report this comment
SecretAmerican
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:07am
Since when is it against the law to watch a movie twice in a theater?

I did this all the time when I was a kid during long boring summer months when on school vacation.

Unbelievable.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
WalterShumatelives
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:23pm
The cops involved should suffocate themselves. Anyone who harms someone with special needs should die in the most horrific way.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The Big Mick
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:18pm
Of course they didn’t have to use force.
Give the Theater Manager $20 bucks, tell him to let the guy stay as long as he wanted and hint that if the Manger is so big a Jerk as to not cut the guy some slack the Theater might get more attention from the cops than he wants or less when he wants it.

It’s a GD MOVIE! What’s letting him SEE it again gonna COST? He’s got DOWNS for Heaven’s sake!
NOW look at the MESS you got because a DOZEN ADULTS WITHOUT DOWNS couldn’t figure out a BETTER WAY then HANDCUFFING the guy!

The idiocy here started well before the “excessive force”.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
thegreatcarnac
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:09pm
Everybody talks about how bad southern cops are and believe the stereotype of the cop played by Jackie Gleason….”you in a heap of trouble….boy’. Frankly….we wouldn’t come out for a stupid call like that. In fact…we never had a call like that. In the south if you want to watch the movie again….have at it.. We are not going to scan the movie theater to see who gets up and who doesn’t at the end of a movie. Who knows……..may be a person would come in at a movie late and want to see the first few minutes he missed. We would probably tell them to let him watch the movie again….especially if we realized he was retarded.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
BOsux
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:40pm
I would have just bought him a ticket and let him stay. That’s all he wanted and it’s very obvious from his pictures that he had a disability that is not only physical, but is well known to be mental. Whether or not he was in the wrong by refusing, I’m about 90% sure he didn’t understand why the cops were doing to him what they did. Can you imagine the fear and panic this poor guy felt his last minutes alive? I don’t care what other people are saying about cops doing their job, they should have known better with this guy and I hope they get fired.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
moneyplays
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:30pm
This poor kid probably had very few things he enjoyed given his limitations. Movies were probably a nice escape for him.

Personally, I’m a little tired of know it all police officers and their better than everyone else attitudes.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
tropolis
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:47pm
If Ann Coulter had a son he would look like him.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- SecretAmerican
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:47am
  You’re the kind of person that needs common sense BEAT into them.
  
  Your parents must be complete slime.
  
  Report this comment
- lefty5005
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:22pm
  TROPOLIS…if Barney Frank had a son, oh, you are Barney Frank’s son, you look just like him…and,and act just like him too.
  
  Report this comment
nomemymine
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:22pm
Sorry, but I am with the police on this one. How would the policemen know what each person’s illness might need a different arrest pattern? The police deal with violent people all the time; they really do have to assume the worst, for their own safety.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Chancellor
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:13am
  It is THEY’RE JOB to Access the situation…….then make the Correct decision…….That was the correct decision???
  
  If it was the camps are not far off!
  
  Report this comment
- Rowgue
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:04am
  They receive extensive training on avoiding this exact situation. This is a well known and very common thing that there are standard procedures in place specifically to avoid. They were clearly negligent at a minimum.
  
  Report this comment
- lefty5005
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:25pm
  The man was not armed with a weapon….period. Nuff said, no reason to die. The police were negligent and exercised poor judgement that resulted in the death of a mentally handicapped person. The police department should be sued by the man’s family and pay without a trial. The cops should be fired and maybe prosecuted. Maybe the boy had some “kin” that can even things up a bit if justice is not brought against the cops.
  
  Report this comment
- TEOTWASWKI
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:46pm
  NOME ” How would the policemen know what each person’s illness might need a different arrest pattern? ”
  
  Ugh….common sense….something you don’t seem to have
  
  Report this comment
wilbstal
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:18pm
these are probably the same cops that will gladly come for your guns when they get the illegal orders to do so. This goes on to frequently we need the imvestigate this more fully

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TJexcite
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:03pm
I was getting worried, there was not a “police acted stupidly” report for a few weeks. Well here is another one. And then nothing but cop haters near Dorner/Anon/Occupy level hate show up in the comments.

Just like early AP hit on Rand Paul now it is a AP/Blaze hit on law enforcement to weaken the whole institution. Apparently nothing the cops do is warranted for the time and the basement online jury is better to determent justice for some reason.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
sbenard
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:56pm
The Police State prospers!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
FanoftheFounders
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:43pm
@Verceofreason- Homicide is not always criminal. When a burglar breaks into your home and you shoot them dead, their death is ruled a homicide. Far as I can tell from the story the cops didn’t mercilessly beat this man to death. He died after resisting and being handcuffed. It is shame that there was not a caretaker at the scene to prevent this from ever happening. Cops are always just reacting to The actions of others. Down Syndrome or not the man is capable of causing injury and he fought with the cops. I’m sure this guy was bound for a mental evaluation at the hospital not booking at the county jail. Do you expect the cops to let this guy, who was probably out of control and angry, put the public and them in danger?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
hades3
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:09pm
The crime of the century. Watching the same movie twice. The cops should have called ATF, FBI Homeland Security and the CIA. Also the NSA should have gotten involved. I’m sure the theatre manager is reeeeeal proud.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Snafu777
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:06pm
I was talking to one of the staff that cared for this young man. Apparently, there was a member of their staff with him when this went down, but instead of listening to the caretaker about how he needed to be dealt with the cops got physical with him, and then when he got physical in return (as many who are mentally challenged are known to do, the police effectively ganged up on him to get him down. While this was happening the staff member with him was trying to call for help for the young man on her cell phone as the cops were not allowing her to do the job that she was specifically trained and licensed to do, and so despite the fact that she had the training and experience in how to diffuse this situation these bull-headed cops (who knew so much better than she about the care of mentally challenged individuals) ended up killing this young man. These three cops should serve time.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- chips1
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:24pm
  What was the staffs name and what facility did they work for? Either give some facts that you can back up. You sound like an Obama groupy that burps out the first thing that comes up your throat.
  
  Report this comment
- Snafu777
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:59pm
  @Chips1 Firstly, it’s none of your business who I talk to or who the individual I spoke to was or where they work.I don’t give out people’s personal information, and I don’t give two hoots about what you think. As far as Obama supporters go, the fact that they “belch” up any falsehood they come up with is only going to backfire on them. The fact of the matter is that, despite the fact that there are good cops there are also careless cops, apathetic cops and power mad cops as well. I salute the men and women in those positions that can keep their integrity. Sadly, and if you’re honest you’ll agree, that is not the whole of the truth or even, arguably, the majority (especially when you add public sector unions into the mix.)
  
  Report this comment
sprouter.q
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:54pm
All this over a movie ticket or a free peek! WHat in the heck is wrong with our law enforcement! STEWIE you are sick! So you want everyone hammered for small infractions?? rules……good lord….

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
V-MindMeld
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:54pm
And I would bet a guess that the cops in question are all liberal democrats, who think they can get away with anything just like the libs in the WH and all their following that can do no wrong, if they were Christian police with a sense of morals about them,,,this would have had another ending, Im sure!,,,poor guy,,,liberal/police abuse again………..it needs to be stopped. Sorry I have a soft spot for those who were not blessed and born with a solid mind and body….his was obvious too!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.