In the early hours of April 25, 2022, Herman Whitfield III, a 39-year-old Black man, died while in the custody of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. His parents had called 911 seeking an ambulance for their son, who was experiencing a mental health crisis at their home. Whitfield, a talented pianist, was found by responding officers naked and agitated inside the residence.
Six officers in total responded to the call.
After what police described as over ten minutes of attempting to negotiate and use de-escalation tactics, the situation escalated. Officers stated that Whitfield moved quickly towards one of them, prompting the use of a Taser on him twice. Following the deployment of the stun gun, officers handcuffed Whitfield and restrained him in a prone position, face down on the ground. While being restrained, Whitfield repeatedly stated, 'I can't breathe.' He became unresponsive shortly after, and medics who arrived at the scene were unable to get a response from him. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Marion County Coroner's Office later ruled Whitfield's death a homicide, with the cause of death identified as cardiopulmonary arrest that occurred while he was being subdued by law enforcement with a prone restraint. The autopsy report also noted that morbid obesity and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were contributing factors. The family of Herman Whitfield III filed a lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and the six responding officers, alleging that they used excessive force and 'crushed the breath out of an unarmed, non-violent' man.
In April 2023, nearly a year after Whitfield's death, a grand jury indicted two of the responding officers, Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez. The officers were charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and multiple counts of battery. Their trial took place in December 2024, lasting five days. Prosecutors argued that the officers acted recklessly by keeping Whitfield restrained in a prone position for too long. The defense maintained that the officers' actions were reasonable given the circumstances and that Whitfield's pre-existing health conditions and narcotics-induced delirium were the cause of his death.
On December 6, 2024, after less than three hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted both Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez on all charges. The verdict was met with disappointment from Whitfield's family and the Marion County Prosecutor, who stated he was 'heartbroken' for the family. An attorney for the acquitted officers expressed that they were pleased with the outcome, stating that police officers shouldn't be imprisoned for doing their jobs under difficult circumstances. A separate federal lawsuit filed by the Whitfield family against the city and police department is still pending.
