Man shot by IMPD officer in tree” : “Man Identified as Darcel Edwards Dies After Officer-Involved Shooting in Indianapolis

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Indianapolis Police Department Releases Critical Incident Video of Officer-Involved Shooting

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has recently made public its critical incident video of an officer-involved shooting that occurred in late October on the near north side of Indianapolis. The video footage captures the moment when a man was shot while perched in a tree.

According to previous reports, the incident took place on October 24, when 35-year-old Darcel Edwards was shot by IMPD Officer Gunnar Gossett in the vicinity of E 25th St. and Columbia Ave.

The edited footage, provided by IMPD, shows a traffic stop conducted by an officer wearing a body camera in the early hours of October 24. Edwards, later identified as the driver, was pulled over for speeding.

Upon being stopped, Edwards exited his vehicle and informed the officer about another vehicle colliding with his car. However, despite the officer’s instructions not to reenter his vehicle, the footage reveals that Edwards ignored the command and fled from the scene.

The crashed vehicle was later found near the intersection of E 25th St. and Columbia Ave. The video then shows Edwards running into a nearby backyard, followed by officers locating him perched in a tree.

As Edwards remained in the tree, several IMPD officers repeatedly instructed him to come down, while one officer demanded him to “show his f—ing hands.” However, Edwards refused to comply and instead requested that the police call his mother.

Throughout the interaction, Edwards informed the officers multiple times about his epilepsy and seizures, expressing his inability to descend from the tree and requesting assistance from the officers to call his mother.

Amidst the exchange, Edwards stated, “I’m coming down, but I feel like I’m coming into a seizure, man.” In response, the officers warned him against having a seizure while perched in the tree and urged him to come down so that they could provide the necessary help.

Edwards agreed to come down but decided to wait in the tree until medical personnel arrived. Despite his willingness to cooperate, the officers continued to demand that he descend from the tree.

In frustration, Edwards eventually challenged the officers, saying, “well, shoot me with the taser then.” When informed that it was a pistol, he responded, “whatever it is, hit me with it.” At this point, an officer warned Edwards that he would only discharge his weapon if given a reason.

During the altercation, Edwards claimed he had nothing on him, to which the officer expressed doubt. As Edwards appeared to reach for something in the tree, an argument ensued, with the officer threatening to shoot if he reached for something again.

Disregarding the officer’s warning, Edwards defiantly responded, “Get down,” to which the officer replied, “Kill me.” This exchange repeated a few times until Gossett discharged his weapon twice towards the tree, hitting Edwards.

Edwards was immediately transported to a local hospital in critical condition and tragically succumbed to his injuries two days later. At the scene, investigators discovered a holster, but no firearm was recovered. The authorities subsequently removed the tree where Edwards had been perched and meticulously searched the underbrush for a weapon.

The release of the critical incident video aims to provide transparency and accountability in the investigation of this officer-involved shooting. IMPD hopes that by making the footage public, it will foster a better understanding of the events leading up to the tragic outcome. The video raises questions about the use of force and whether the actions were justified given the circumstances.

As the investigation continues, community members and activists have called for a thorough examination of the incident, emphasizing the need for police reform and improved training to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The IMPD’s release of the critical incident video marks a significant step towards transparency and ensuring accountability within the department. It is expected that further details will emerge as the investigation progresses, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident..