Five Virginia deputies fired after they ‘bashed’ a black man ‘to the point of suffering a medical emergency’ – less than 30 minutes after he was jailed for trespassing

Five Virginia lawmakers have been fired after the death of an inmate who died while being held in custody was ruled a homicide.

Authorities say 34-12 months-old Rolin Hill died in June while several officers were booking him into a Virginia Beach correctional facility, just days after his arrest on charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

According to the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, Hill was “uncooperative and aggressive” during the booking process and needed to be restrained. Pilot from Virginia reported that less than half an hour after arriving at the prison, he suffered a medical emergency and needed to be taken to a local hospital. He died six days later.

According to Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Hill died of “positional and mechanical asphyxia due to neck and torso immobilization.”

The sheriff’s office released a statement saying the deputies involved in the Hill scandal had been fired.

“Based on updates received from the Virginia State Police regarding the Rolin Hill case, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office deputies involved in this incident are no longer employees of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb.

Immediately after Hill’s death, two of his friends disputed what authorities initially reported about the 34-12 months-old’s death in June.

“What the family thinks… more than four deputies argued with him and claimed he was aggressive, and I believe they beat him until he had a medical emergency and then felt they had to deal with it as they saw fit, which was not the right way,” one one that knew Hill he said WAVY.

People near Hill said he was small in stature and recalled mental health issues.

“They said he was brave. So if he was considered combative because of his size, it wouldn’t take five deputies to stop him,” Hill’s friend said. “He had no symptoms other than occasional…mental problems and that was checked.”

The case is under investigation by the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Beach State Attorney’s Office. No arrests have been made in Hill’s murder and no charges have been filed at the moment.

“We are aware of the cause of death and the fact that these five deputies are no longer employed by the sheriff’s office,” the Virginia Beach State’s Attorney’s Office told WAVY. The results of the sheriff’s internal investigation haven’t any bearing on the independent criminal investigation conducted by the Virginia State Police and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. This office has been in touch with the Virginia State Police since the starting of the investigation. Once VSP submits the report, we’ll review it thoroughly. We ask for the public’s patience throughout our investigation and we’ll provide an update once our review is complete.”

The Virginia Beach NAACP also released a statement saying it “continues to stand with the Rolin Hill family and call for justice and transparency.”

“Although the medical examiner has confirmed that Hill’s death was a homicide, Virginia State Police continue to investigate the incident and no charges have been filed,” the statement read. We are waiting for the final findings of the report and hope that those that participated on this crime might be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to an obituary published by The Pilot, Hill was a sports fan whose favorite skilled teams were the Atlanta Braves, Dallas Cowboys and Phoenix Suns. He earned his Eagle Scout badge in his youth and enjoyed browsing, spending time at the beach, and spending time together with his family.

“Rolin delivered yet another incredible final act; he donated his heart, liver and kidneys, which saved the lives of four other people,” we read in the obituary reads. “Mental health in America continues to be a serious issue. In Rolin’s memory, his family requests that you contribute to any mental health foundation.”