The Austin Police Department is currently investigating an in-custody death that occurred on June 17, involving a Black male identified as Jermaine Joseph Sims, born August 31, 1988. According to an Austin Police Department report, the confrontation began after Sims was reported to be "acting erratic" and "throwing things" inside a Circle K Convenience Store on S IH-35 Frontage Road.
Exhibiting alarming behavior, Sims subsequently commandeered a pick-up truck and was involved in a collision after entering IH 35 in the incorrect direction, the APD detailed. Responding to the chaotic scene at around 4:09 p.m., law enforcement officers apprehended Sims at approximately 4:10 p.m. Sims was later transported to a local hospital by Austin-Travis County EMS where he was pronounced dead by 6:04 p.m., following the altercation with the officers.
The ongoing investigation into Sims's death, which is standard procedure when a person dies while being taken into custody by police, will include a review by the Travis County Medical Examiner to determine the precise cause of death. Officials have stated that there exist recordings of the event captured by both body-worn cameras of the officers involved and a dash camera from a private citizen, which are due to be released within ten business days as part of the department's transparency policy.
Further inquiries into the incident will be performed by APD's Special Investigation Unit alongside the Travis County District Attorney's Office, and the APD Internal Affairs Unit, with monitoring from the Office of Police Oversight. With the matter being of serious community concern, individuals with knowledge about the events have been urged to contact APD's Special Investigation Unit or the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers, where tips can be submitted anonymously online.
