The Austin Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Jermaine Joseph Sims, who died in police custody on June 17. APD has pledged to provide a transparent account of the incident, conscious of the community's demands for accountability and clarity. The department has released audio and video materials associated with the case, as reported by the City of Austin.
Officers Brandon Langer and David Lewis were identified as the subjects involved in the incident; both have one year of service with the department. The events unfolded rapidly after multiple 9-1-1 calls reported Sims behaving erratically at the Circle K Convenience Store on S IH-35 Frontage Road, resulting in him stealing and crashing a pick-up truck, before being detained by officers, as per the City of Austin. Details surrounding his subsequent death, after being transported to a local hospital, remain preliminary, with a medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
APD assures that no other individuals or officers sustained injuries during the incident involving Mr. Sims. With the investigation ongoing, the police department refrains, from pressing any charges currently but emphasizes the importance of public cooperation in the investigation, according to the City of Austin. They urge anyone with information to contact the Special Investigation Unit or use the Austin Crime Stoppers service to report anonymously.
