18-year-old died in police custody; family launches probe
INDIANAPOLIS — Three days after an 18-year-old in police custody died in the back of an ambulance, his family has hired a lawyer to conduct an investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.
Terrell Day was arrested Saturday after police said he brandished a handgun at a Burlington Coat Factory loss-prevention officer during a shoplifting incident.
He later died of a heart attack in the back of an ambulance after twice complaining to authorities about having breathing problems, according to the Marion County Coroner's Office.
Nathaniel Lee, a lawyer representing Day’s family, said questions remain unanswered. His probe of the event began Tuesday afternoon as he went to area stores in search of surveillance footage of Day’s arrest.
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“What the family is seeking are answers,” Lee said. “We’re trying to determine exactly what occurred. The family is seeking justice. If there was a violation of the criminal code, then the family would want accountability.”
An investigation into Day’s death is ongoing, public safety officials said. They also offered condolences to the family.
Around 1 p.m. ET Saturday, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Cumberland, Ind., police officers were called to investigate a report of an armed man.
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When police arrived, Burlington employees identified Day as a shoplifter. They said when an employee confronted him, he pulled a gun and ran from the store.
Day ran as far as a sloped patch of grass behind a gas station. He surrendered to police when they found him.
Officers called an ambulance for Day, and the responding emergency medical crew said he was OK to be taken into custody.
Their assessment gave no indication of an underlying medical condition, according to a statement from the Department of Public Safety. Day also signed a release noting he didn't require additional medical attention.
When the jail wagon arrived, Day again complained of breathing problems, police said. A second ambulance made it to the scene as Day’s condition worsened.
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First responders from the second crew tried to save Day's life, but it was too late. He died in the back of the ambulance.
Officials said Day died of natural causes. On Monday, an autopsy revealed his cause of death as an acute myocardial infarction, a heart attack.
Day's family, which has said he had no health issues before his death in police custody, will decide what to do next after they learn more in their investigation.
“Right now, we’re just collecting evidence,” Lee said. “Then we let the evidence dictate what happens next.”
Terrell Day, 18, of Indianapolis died Saturday after he was accused of running from a store where police were called to arrest a shoplifting suspect.(Photo: Twitter)