UPDATE
The decedent in yesterday's incident has been identified as 18-year-old, Terrell Day of Indianapolis. The investigation into this incident is on-going at this time.
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INDIANAPOLIS—On September 26, 2015 at approximately 12:54 p.m., officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and Cumberland Police Department (CPD) responded to a report of a person with a gun in the 10200 block of East Washington Street. Officers learned a loss prevention officer from the Burlington Coat Factory confronted a male shoplifting suspect inside the store, who then pointed a handgun and ran from the store.
The loss prevention officer followed the suspect to the parking lot and kept him in sight while providing information to responding officers. A CPD officer observed the suspect lying in a grassy area behind a gas station at the intersection of East 10th Street and North Mitthoefer Road. When the suspect saw police, he immediately surrendered and was taken into custody without incident by IMPD. A handgun was recovered next to the suspect.
The man told officers he was having trouble breathing, and an ambulance was requested. The responding EMS crew assessed the suspect and determined he could be transported to the Arrestee Processing Center via jail wagon. When the jail wagon arrived, the suspect began to complain again of breathing problems. A second ambulance was called, and the suspect’s condition deteriorated. Despite the best life-saving efforts by the EMS crew, the suspect died in the back of the ambulance.
"The Indianapolis EMS family would like to extend our sincere condolences," said IEMS Chief Charles Miramonti, MD. "We have already launched a full internal investigation, and, at this time, are confident the highest level of response and care was provided."
Homicide detectives and Crime Lab personnel responded to process the scene and conduct interviews. All the facts and circumstances regarding this incident will not be known until the conclusion of this investigation. The final cause of death will be determined by the Marion County Coroner’s Office.
The identity of the suspect is pending positive identification by the coroner’s office and notification to the family. This advisory will be updated when significant developments in this incident are known.
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