On October 18, 2021, Reiner Sommer, a 50-year-old man, died from “toxic effects in the setting of police restraint.” The Clark County coroner’s office ruled his death a homicide. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) was called to assist when Sommer, who was experiencing a medical episode, became combative inside a Walgreens bathroom.

Body camera footage presented by the LVMPD’s Force Investigation Team (FIT) showed that Sommer was lying on the bathroom floor, yelling and squirming, several feet away from the officers as they discussed their plan to restrain him. The officers were planning to use ketamine to sedate Sommer once he was detained. However, in a clear state of mental distress the officers rushed into the bathroom stall and held Sommer down, attempting to get his hands behind his back and handcuff him.

The FIT conducted an investigation into the incident. The Clark County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and determined that the actions of Sergeants Geordinno Bagaporo and Jeffrey Blum, as well as Officers Garcia and Ortega were not criminal. However, it is clear that the LVMPD officers involved in the incident were not properly trained to handle a situation involving someone experiencing a medical or mental health crisis. The officers’ decision to rush in and physically restrain Sommer, despite his clear distress ultimately could have been the reason for his death.

Reiner Sommer’s daughter, Taylor Sommer, attended the fact-finding review and released a statement after the hearing, saying “It was heartbreaking to watch; he didn’t deserve to die like this or to be handled like this in a clear state of mental distress.” It is imperative that the LVMPD prioritize the training and education of their officers in order to better handle situations involving individuals experiencing medical or mental health crises. The unnecessary loss of life, such as in the case of Reiner Sommer, must be prevented.