‘Disruptive’ inmate is found dead in his cell

Nine days before a Rockdale County inmate was found dead in his cell, Conyers police officers were forced to wrestle him to the ground and restrain him to a chair, according to an incident report.

Shali Tilson, 22, asked one of the officers: “Why didn’t you shoot me?”

He was found dead in his cell Monday.

The incident dates to March 3, when two officers were called to a home in the 1200 block of Lakeview Drive about a man later identified as Tilson trying to kick down the home’s door.

When police arrived, they said they found the Conyers man yelling profanities.

Although the report does not otherwise mention a woman with him, Tilson “also advised the female he was walking with had cocaine in her possession,” Conyers police Officer Marsh Thompson said in the report.

“He rambled on and on and was pacing back and forth as he yelled,” Thompson said in the report.

According to the report, Tilson did not follow Thompson’s command to put his hands behind his back, so Thompson, along with Z. Eaton, another officer on the scene, took control of Tilson’s hands and struggled to handcuff him.

While en route to the Rockdale County jail, Thompson warned the county staff of Tilson’s “extreme disruptive nature.” Although Tilson continued to resist, “deputies were able to restrain him in a transport chair” and turn him over to the jail staff.

Tilson asked the officer about shooting him as Thompson read warrants for disorderly conduct and obstruction charges.

It is unclear what caused Tilson’s death, but the GBI is investigating, spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.