A Clarksville man whose arrest involving officers, a Taser and a police K-9 was caught on camera has died while in custody at the Montgomery County Jail, according to authorities. Video clips of the confrontation have spread widely online.
Body-camera and bystander footage show the man being taken to the ground before officers appear to deploy a Taser and release a K-9. The dog appears to bite him as a witness repeatedly shouts for officers to pull the animal off. The K-9 is eventually pulled away while officers continue the arrest. The incident took place Monday outside a Dutch Bros on Fort Campbell Boulevard, based on what can be seen and heard in the videos. NewsChannel 5 detailed the footage and timeline.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed the detainee as Darius Chappell and said he died early Friday morning while housed at the Montgomery County Jail. District Attorney Robert Nash told reporters that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation would take over the case, adding, “I am aware of, and saddened by, the death of Mr. Chappell.” The Clarksville Police Department says it has launched an internal review into the K-9 deployment and placed the officer involved on administrative leave. Court records show Chappell had recently been charged with domestic assault, as reported by NewsChannel 5.
Investigations under way
With the TBI now leading the inquiry, state agents are expected to examine the arrest videos, medical records, and jail documentation as part of their investigation. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, which operates the county jail, lists its contact and oversight information on the county website as the probe moves forward. Officials at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office have not released a cause of death.
What's known and what's not
Authorities have not said how Chappell died, and no additional disciplinary or criminal actions have been announced. The TBI investigation could take weeks as agents collect evidence and, if warranted, turn their findings over to prosecutors for possible charges.
The widely shared video of the arrest has raised questions from residents and online viewers, and local officials say they plan to share updates as state and county investigators complete their work. News organizations and local agencies say they will release more information once it is cleared for public disclosure.
