Antwan Lindsey: A Taser’s Pop, A Life Lost

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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A Tragic Encounter

On July 8, 2023, Antwan Lindsey, a 45-year-old Black man, was fatally shot 15 times by Columbus police officers in an apartment building. This tragic event unfolded after officers reportedly mistook the sound of a Taser for gunfire, leading to a hail of bullets that ended Lindsey’s life (Sign the Petition). His family has since filed a federal lawsuit against the city and its police department, alleging excessive force, supervisory negligence, and systemic failures. This incident has reignited critical conversations within the Black community about police conduct, accountability, and the profound impact of such events on families and neighborhoods.

The incident began when a man approached a Franklin County sheriff’s deputy, reporting that Lindsey had a gun at a nearby apartment building and was making threats. Police later discovered that Lindsey was upset because he believed his car had been stolen, when in fact it had been towed. As Columbus police responded, body camera footage captured the deputy driving to the apartment building where Lindsey was visible. Gunshots were heard as the deputy arrived, prompting him to tell dispatch he was taking fire and repeatedly shout for Lindsey to show his hands.

The Fatal Misunderstanding

Minutes later, backup arrived, and additional body camera footage showed multiple police officers searching the building. They eventually located Lindsey standing in a doorway between a hallway and a stairwell. Officers approached him from both sides, effectively surrounding him (Sign the Petition). The lawsuit states that Lindsey had placed his gun on the ground, had his hands raised “chin high,” and stood motionless, complying with the officers’ commands (Sign the Petition). Body camera video showed him standing still as officers from both the stairwell and hallway yelled commands.

Suddenly, an officer from the stairwell yelled, “Taser, Taser, Taser!” The complaint details that when the officer deployed the Taser, it made a “loud popping noise” as it struck Lindsey (Sign the Petition). As he began to fall, four officers in the hallway opened fire, discharging a total of 38 rounds (Sign the Petition). An autopsy report later revealed that Lindsey was shot 15 times in various parts of his body, including his head, upper chest, arm, thigh, and back (Sign the Petition). This devastating outcome underscores the critical nature of split-second decisions in high-stress situations and the potential for tragic misinterpretations.

The Grand Jury’s Decision and Legal Battle

Nearly a year after the shooting, a Franklin County grand jury declined to indict the officers involved in Lindsey’s death. The prosecutor’s office stated that the officers believed they heard gunfire, which led to their decision to shoot Lindsey (Sign the Petition). Several officers who fired their weapons told investigators they thought the sound from the Taser was a gunshot. One officer stated that what they believed was a gunshot immediately before discharging their weapon was the pop of the Taser being deployed, and they did not hear the Taser announcement (Sign the Petition).

Another officer stated they heard a pop they believed was a gunshot and thought Lindsey had fired at officers in the stairwell and was turning to fire at them (Sign the Petition). A grand jury’s role is to determine if there is sufficient probable cause to bring criminal charges against an individual; they do not determine guilt or innocence. The process typically involves presenting evidence to a group of citizens, who then decide whether to issue an indictment. The criteria for indictment vary by jurisdiction but generally require a finding that a crime likely occurred and the accused likely committed it.

Despite the grand jury’s decision, Lindsey’s family has pursued a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit claims Lindsey posed no threat to the officers who shot him and included a still image from body camera footage showing Lindsey’s hands raised and a gun at his feet (Sign the Petition). The family’s complaint seeks $75,000 in damages and a court order mandating reforms to Columbus police policies and training procedures (Sign the Petition). A grand jury’s decision not to indict in a criminal case does not necessarily preclude civil lawsuits. Victims or their families can still pursue civil action for wrongful death or excessive force, seeking monetary damages. The burden of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal cases, meaning a different outcome is possible. The grand jury’s decision can, however, influence public perception and the perceived strength of a civil case.

Understanding Excessive Force and Police Procedures

The term “excessive force” implies a use of force beyond what is necessary or reasonable in a given situation. This is a complex issue with significant legal and ethical implications, especially when it results in a loss of life. Standard police procedures during confrontations are designed to escalate or de-escalate based on the perceived threat. Officers are trained to make split-second decisions, often in chaotic environments, which can lead to tragic outcomes when misjudgments occur.

In situations involving multiple officers, a phenomenon known as “contagious fire” can occur. John Cooney, a retired police captain who teaches de-escalation, explained that dozens of rounds may be fired due to “contagious fire,” where one officer shoots and others follow (Spectrum News 1). This is a reactive response and not a trained procedure. Cooney emphasized that deadly force is a decision with immediate and final results, and there is no “low point” or “let us see how it goes” once that determination is made (Spectrum News 1). The scenario of a Taser being mistaken for gunfire highlights a critical point of confusion in high-stress situations. While the article does not detail specific Taser deployment protocols, it implies that such a misidentification can have severe consequences. Standard police procedures for Taser use typically involve verbal commands and clear identification to prevent such errors, but in chaotic moments, these can be overlooked.

A Pattern of Concern: Other Ohio Incidents

The shooting of Antwan Lindsey is not an isolated incident in Ohio. Other cases involving police officers and alleged excessive force or misidentification have raised similar concerns within communities, particularly those of color. These incidents suggest a broader pattern that may indicate systemic issues within law enforcement, highlighting potential trends in police conduct, training deficiencies, or accountability failures.

For example, in November 2016, Euclid police officers mistook an innocent man’s colostomy bag for a gun (WorldStarHipHop). Lamar Wright, who had recently undergone surgery, was pulled over to use his phone when two armed men, later identified as police officers, approached his vehicle. Wright put his car in park and held his hands up, yet he was beaten, Tased, and maced (WorldStarHipHop). More recently, in August 2023, Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb was charged with murder, felonious assault, and involuntary manslaughter after shooting and killing Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant woman (WOSU). Grubb fired a single shot through the windshield, striking Young in the chest, as she ignored another officer and put her vehicle in drive (The Columbus Dispatch). The charges were doubled because Young was pregnant (WOSU). Additionally, an Akron police officer involved in the fatal shooting of Jazmir Tucker had nearly three dozen prior use-of-force incidents (News 5 Cleveland). These cases, alongside Lindsey’s, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive police reform and accountability.

Accountability and Community Impact

Incidents of police-involved shootings often have a profound impact on communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by police violence. This can manifest as protests, calls for police reform, erosion of trust between law enforcement and residents, and increased community activism. Understanding these responses provides a more comprehensive view of the incident’s broader societal implications and the deep-seated pain they cause.

Police accountability mechanisms vary but typically involve internal investigations, civilian review boards, and legal action. Internal affairs departments investigate officer conduct, while civilian review boards offer external oversight. Legal avenues, such as civil lawsuits and, in rare cases, criminal charges, also serve as accountability measures. The effectiveness of these mechanisms often depends on transparency, independence, and the willingness of departments to implement findings. For instance, if a person is pronounced dead at the scene of a police shooting, officers are generally advised not to tamper with the body, including removing handcuffs, to preserve the scene for the medical examiner’s investigation (CNN). Agencies are taught to leave everything as is for the coroner, who has the legal responsibility to assess all aspects of the scene (CNN). Unless medical professionals request handcuff removal for advanced life support, officers typically do not remove them (CNN).

The Path Forward: Calls for Reform

The lawsuit filed by Antwan Lindsey’s family seeks not only damages but also a court order mandating reforms to Columbus police policies and training procedures. Lawsuits seeking reforms in police policies and training often aim to address systemic issues that lead to incidents of excessive force. These reforms can include enhanced de-escalation training, revised use-of-force policies, improved mental health support for officers, and increased accountability mechanisms. The goal is to prevent future incidents by changing the underlying practices and culture within police departments.

The tragic death of Antwan Lindsey serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in policing and the critical need for systemic change. For the Black community, these incidents are not merely statistics; they are deeply personal losses that underscore the urgent demand for justice, transparency, and accountability from law enforcement. The pursuit of reforms in police policies and training is a vital step toward ensuring that such misidentifications and uses of excessive force do not continue to claim lives. The fight for justice for Antwan Lindsey is a fight for a safer, more equitable future for all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.