There is a sad story circulating in the news and on Facebook today about a 26-year-old man with Down Syndrome named Robert Saylor who went to a movie in Frederick, MD, to watch Zero Dark Thirty with some sort of friend or companion. He decided he wanted to watch the movie again and stubbornly refused to get out of his seat. A Regal Cinema employee initially interacted wtih this man and wasn't able to get him to leave the room. So the Regal employee decided to contact three off-duty police officers/theater security guards to get Saylor to leave.
Once again, Saylor refused to leave and swore at the guards. The off-duty officers/security guards noted that he "resisted arrest" (didn't know that off-duty officers/security guards could arrest you) and decided to wrestle Saylor to the ground and handcuff him. He quickly asphyxiated and the EMS was called. Saylor later died at the hospital directly as a result to this encounter.
Please look at Robert Saylor's picture. It is obvious from looking at him -- and I'm sure from listening to him -- that he has Down Syndrome, which is accompanied by certain intellectual disabilities as well as certain behavioral traits (obviously more pronounced in some than in others). It was unclear to me where his companion was during all of this. Did they try to get him or her to help out or to contact Saylor's parents? A movie ticket costs anywhere from $9-11. Why not have him pay for an extra showing and then take the time to contact his parents or his house staff?
As a result of the medical examination, Saylor's death has been ruled as a homicide. The case has been forwarded to the state's attorney's office for review. Hopefully, we will see some justice for Robert Saylor.
Once again, Saylor refused to leave and swore at the guards. The off-duty officers/security guards noted that he "resisted arrest" (didn't know that off-duty officers/security guards could arrest you) and decided to wrestle Saylor to the ground and handcuff him. He quickly asphyxiated and the EMS was called. Saylor later died at the hospital directly as a result to this encounter.
Please look at Robert Saylor's picture. It is obvious from looking at him -- and I'm sure from listening to him -- that he has Down Syndrome, which is accompanied by certain intellectual disabilities as well as certain behavioral traits (obviously more pronounced in some than in others). It was unclear to me where his companion was during all of this. Did they try to get him or her to help out or to contact Saylor's parents? A movie ticket costs anywhere from $9-11. Why not have him pay for an extra showing and then take the time to contact his parents or his house staff?
As a result of the medical examination, Saylor's death has been ruled as a homicide. The case has been forwarded to the state's attorney's office for review. Hopefully, we will see some justice for Robert Saylor.