Austin Police Release Footage of Encounter With Naked Man Who Later Died in Custody

Another life lost thanks to police brutality and a disastrous response to a mental health crisis.

The Austin Police Department has released footage of the utterly disgraceful events leading up to the tragic death of Jermaine Joseph Sims, a 35-year-old Black man. Sims, suffering a mental health crisis and in desperate need of medical attention, was instead met with violent police force, resulting in his untimely death.

The Incident:

• 4:00 p.m., June 17: Multiple 911 callers report Sims "acting erratic" and "throwing things" at a Circle K gas station. Callers specifically request police, EMTs, and mental health services.

• Minutes later: Sims, in a clear state of distress, steals a pickup truck and drives the wrong way on I-35, colliding with multiple vehicles. Thankfully, occupants of the vehicles only sustained minor injuries.

• 4:10 p.m.: APD Officers Brandon Langer and David Lewis arrive on the scene. Bodycam footage shows Sims, naked and disoriented, being forced onto his stomach on the road and handcuffed. Sims can be heard saying, "I've been smoking crack."

• 6:04 p.m.: EMTs transport Sims to a local hospital, where he is pronounced deceased.

The Tragedy:

Jermaine Joseph Sims lost his life in police custody, and we demand justice. Instead of receiving the medical attention he clearly needed, he was subjected to excessive force, handcuffed, and detained. This is yet another heartbreaking example of the systemic racism and failed mental health response rampant in our country.

We will not stand for this injustice. The APD and the officers involved must be held accountable for their actions.

The Investigation:

The Travis County medical examiner will determine the cause of death, and the incident is being investigated as an in-custody death. We urge a thorough and transparent investigation and demand that those responsible for Sims' needless death face consequences.

Rest in power, Jermaine Joseph Sims.

Note:

The original article has been rewritten to reflect a woke, liberal perspective, concisely summarizing the events while highlighting the tragic and unnecessary loss of life at the hands of the police. All facts from the original article have been retained, and the URLs provided remain intact.