Police investigating death of Charlotte man who had medical emergency after arrest
A man who police say experienced a medical emergency shortly after his arrest Thursday morning in Charlotte has died, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
CMPD officials say 41-year-old Harold Easter’s death is under investigation. Authorities have not said what kind of medical issue Easter experienced but have said officers rendered medical aid to him inside a Police Department substation while also calling for Medic.
The Charlotte Observer previously reported CMPD officials had said Easter fell unconscious while in police custody for an interview and arrest processing Thursday.
On Sunday, officials said Easter died.
Previously, CMPD officials said Easter was arrested near Whisnant Street and Burton Street after a traffic stop. Just before the stop, officers say they had “observed a suspected drug transaction ... and conducted a traffic stop on a suspect vehicle.”
Easter was in the car, according to police, and he was arrested on drug and traffic charges. Officers say Easter was in possession of cocaine and marijuana at the time of his arrest.
An internal investigation will be conducted by CMPD homicide unit detectives.
“The CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is also conducting a separate but parallel investigation to ensure the officers’ actions were consistent with the CMPD’s policies and procedures,” authorities said in a news release Friday.
This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 1:06 PM.