APD investigating death of man while in police custody

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it is investigating the death of a man who died in police custody one week ago.

On Monday, police identified the man as 35-year-old Jermaine Sims.

Police said Austin 911 got multiple calls at 4:02 p.m. June 17 about a disturbance at a Circle K store on the South Interstate 35 frontage road near Slaughter Lane in south Austin. Callers said a man was "acting erratic" and "throwing things" inside the store.

Police said the man stole a pick-up truck from a gas pump at about 4:05 p.m. and turned onto the frontage road in the wrong direction, hitting multiple vehicles. APD officers arrived at the scene at 4:09 p.m. and took the man into custody at 4:10 p.m.

Austin-Travis County EMS medics took the man to a hospital. He died at 6:04 p.m., according to police.

APD said because the man died in police custody, the department is investigating the incident as an in-custody death.

Officer body-camera video and video from a dash camera will be released within 10 business days, police said.

There will be two investigations into the in-custody death incident. The APD Special Investigations Unit and Travis County District Attorney's Office will conduct a criminal investigation. The APD Internal Affairs Unit and Office of Police Oversight will conduct an administrative investigation.

People with information can call the special investigations unit at 512-974-6840. Anonymous tips can be sent to Capitol Area Crimestoppers at 512-472-8477 or at austincrimestoppers.org.