Man Dies in Memphis Police Custody Following Medical Emergency, TBI Identifies Deceased
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has identified the man who died while in the custody of the Memphis Police Department (MPD) as 54-year-old Rinaldo Bankston. Bankston passed away on Tuesday, February 4, after experiencing a medical emergency shortly after his arrest.
According to the MPD, officers responded to a disturbance on Rayner Street, near East Person Avenue in South Memphis, at approximately 1:50 a.m. Bankston was taken into custody in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a woman. Shortly after his arrest, he reportedly suffered a medical emergency.
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Authorities stated that officers provided immediate assistance to Bankston before first responders transported him to Methodist University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Neighbors expressed shock at the incident, including Shawna Isaac, who lived near Bankston. “I often saw him sitting on the porch with his little puppy. When I took my dog out, we would sometimes chat. It was a friendly relationship. I never imagined something like this would happen,” Isaac said.
The TBI is investigating the circumstances surrounding Bankston’s death, and further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.
