While in custody, Brooks was subjected to excessive force by officers who attempted to subdue him after he failed to comply with directions for booking and fingerprinting. Reports indicate that as many as seven officers were involved, kicking and punching him, using pepper spray, deploying a taser, and placing a spit hood over his head before restraining him in a chair and isolating him in a room.
Approximately twenty minutes later, an officer noticed that Brooks appeared unwell and entered the room. They removed the spit hood and wiped away the pepper spray, only to find him unresponsive. Emergency services were called, and he was transported to a hospital, where he was taken off life support the next evening.
A crucial aspect of this case is Brooks’s history of PTSD, which likely contributed to a psychotic episode during his arrest. His pregnant wife, Sarah Brooks, had informed the arresting officers of his mental health struggles, which had previously been exacerbated during the holiday season—a time that often triggers distress for veterans with PTSD. In fact, Nathaniel had received treatment for PTSD-related psychosis in 2017 under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for emergency psychological intervention.
In the lead-up to his death, Sarah expressed concerns about leaving him alone because of his erratic behavior. Despite this critical information, no medical or psychological evaluation was conducted by the police. Instead of receiving the appropriate mental health care, Nathaniel was taken to jail, a move that proved fatal.
While surveillance footage from the jail recorded the events that transpired, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the state attorney’s office have refused to release these tapes. An autopsy listed the cause of death as “excited delirium” and complications due to “hyperactive and violent state with subsequent restraint,” but Dr. Amy Reynolds, the chief medical examiner for the region, has publicly questioned these conclusions, asserting that the autopsy failed to clarify the exact cause of death.
Adding to the outrage is Sheriff Mark Turner’s policy, established in 2017, which prohibits third-party investigations into incidents involving his officers. This lack of accountability raises serious questions about the integrity of the investigations and the safety of the community.
In light of the national outcry following the tragic death of George Floyd, Nathaniel Brooks’s case has attracted renewed attention. Community leaders and local media, including Florida Today, have called for the release of the surveillance footage, but Sheriff Turner has responded by accusing the media of “inciting civil unrest.” Such rhetoric only serves to further alienate the community from the very institution meant to protect it.
Sarah Brooks continues her fight for justice, using social media to rally support under the hashtag #justice4nathaniel. As she awaits access to the surveillance footage that could provide clarity on her husband’s death, the public is left to wonder how many more lives could be saved with proper mental health intervention instead of incarceration.
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In summary, Nathaniel Brooks, a decorated combat veteran suffering from PTSD, tragically died in police custody due to a lack of appropriate mental health care. Despite the circumstances surrounding his death, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has resisted calls for transparency, leaving his family and community seeking answers.
Keyphrase: Veteran PTSD Death in Custody
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