Locals gather at 201 Poplar to protest the death of inmate

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Wednesday night saw fewer than a dozen protestors gathered outside of the Shelby County Jail.

They were protesting the recent death of inmate 33-year-old Rockez McDaniel.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said that McDaniel experienced a ‘medical emergency’ on July 28th and was pronounced dead at Regional One Hospital.

The TBI is currently investigating the cause of death.

Autopsy results are pending, but family members allege law enforcement or correctional staff got physical with McDaniel at some point before his death.

“He wasn’t a bad guy,” said Rashad McDaniel. “I don’t want him to be known as the person who got beat up by the police or beat up by the guards in there. He was a good guy.”

McDaniel is the sixth inmate to die in the custody of the jail.

Action News 5 reached out to SCSO for a comment. We will update you as soon as we learn more.

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