Lincoln Police are investigating the death of a man after walking into a home near N 35th and T around 1 p.m. Monday afternoon.
Police received a number of calls about a man trespassing in several yards and stumbling as he walked. As officers arrived, they saw a man had entered a home on N. 35th Street and was fighting with the homeowner. An officer saw the homeowner restraining the man on the ground in the basement of his home. As the officer started to place the suspect in custody, the man was experiencing a medical emergency. The officer called for medical assistance and started CPR. Another officer arrived and assisted with CPR until Lincoln Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene and started lifesaving measures. The man, 38 year old Brandon Ziemelis, was rushed to a hospital where he later was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m.
Investigators interviewed the homeowner, a 40-year-old male man, who explained that he was in the basement of his residence when he heard his children shouting from outside the house. The homeowner stated he then observed a man he did not know enter his house without permission and close the door behind him. When the homeowner confronted Ziemelis about what he was doing in his residence, he observed that Ziemelis was holding an object in his hand similar to an ice scraper. Ziemelis swung the object several times at the homeowner, who then struck the Ziemelis in the face several times before restraining him until police arrived.
Because the man began experiencing a medical episode which ultimately resulted in death while Lincoln police officers were on scene, this death is being investigated as an in-custody death by the LPD Criminal Investigations Unit. Besides handcuffing Ziemelis, LPD officers did not use any other forms of control. LPD crime scene technicians processed the scene for digital and forensic evidence.
Investigators interviewed several witnesses and canvassed the area for additional evidence. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death. The officer’s involvement was captured on body worn camera in its entirety. The video footage will not be released due to the ongoing investigation. Neither officer has been placed on administrative leave.