Man died in Dallas police custody just hours after being released from the hospital for an overdose
By: Dallas, TX - A man who allegedly assaulted a woman and attempted to rob a convenience store on Lemmon Avenue died while in police custody on Sunday, marking the second in-custody death in Dallas so far this year, police said.
The Dallas Police Department released body camera footage Wednesday alongside a press release detailing the events of the arrest.
According to the preliminary investigation, 41-year-old Jerrell Johnson entered a business on Lemmon Avenue near Wycliff Avenue around 3:49 p.m. on July 13, acting erratically and causing a disturbance. Police said Johnson spat in a man’s face and shoved him before leaving and walking next door to the 7-Eleven at 4239 Lemmon Ave.
Once inside, DPD said Johnson confronted employees, demanded money, and forced his way behind the counter. He then allegedly grabbed a female employee by the neck, dragged her to the register, and made her open it before stealing the cash inside. When the woman escaped and ran outside, Johnson reportedly followed her and continued the assault until bystanders intervened.
Body camera footage shows the first officer arrive at the scene around 3:55 p.m. Johnson can be seen lying on the ground, sweating profusely and breathing heavily. Footage shows the officer asking Johnson to flip onto his belly, but Johnson did not respond. The officer then flips Johnson over, handcuffs him, sits him upright, and asks Johnson questions.
In the footage, Johnson did not answer any questions and continued to breathe heavily. The officer then started asking bystanders questions about what happened. Around 3:56 p.m., a second officer arrives.
Johnson first speaks around 3:57 p.m., asking where his money is. Around 3:58, Johnson rolls over onto his belly, and the officer has to help him sit back up.
The edited body camera footage jumps to 4:05 p.m. Around that time, DPD said the officer realized Johnson could no longer sit up on his own and called for an ambulance.
Additional officers arrived to help support Johnson while waiting for medical personnel. A medic with Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived at 4:17 p.m., even though the officer had called for an ambulance. At 4:23 p.m., an ambulance arrived, and paramedics initiated CPR at 4:31 p.m. Johnson was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
DPD said detectives learned at the hospital that Johnson had been treated and discharged earlier that same day for symptoms related to a drug overdose and excited delirium. He was discharged just under two hours before the incident at the 7-Eleven began.
Police said no force was used by officers during the arrest.