FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana June 26, 2018

After a long and difficult process, the family of Aaron Bailey has chosen to settle their suit against the City of Indianapolis, Officer Michal Dinnsen, and Officer Carlton Howard.  The Estate of Bailey filed its complaint with the Indiana Southern District Court for the killing of the unarmed Aaron Bailey by the two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on June 29, 2017.  The complaint sought relief under 42 USC 1983 for deadly injury and violations of the 4^thand 14^thAmendments to the Constitution by the officers and the City of Indianapolis.

As part of the settlement, the City of Indianapolis has agreed to implement de-escalation training for all members of IMPD.  A series of public meeting will be held to discuss the training program with the public.  The family of Aaron Bailey recognizes that successful de-escalation in police encounters requires cooperation of both officers and civilians. They hope the public will participate in the open forum, with the goal of stopping future needless deaths.

The Family of Aaron Bailey extends its gratitude to the City of Indianapolis for their efforts to resolve this tragic situation. They ask for privacy as they continue to mourn the loss of their father and brother.  The Bailey family prays they and the City of Indianapolis can move on to a better future.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana May 22, 2018– On June 29, 2017, Officers Carlton Howard and Michal Dinnsen shot Aaron Bailey four times in the back after a short vehicle pursuit.  Mr. Bailey, who was unarmed, died at the scene.  An internal investigation was conducted, resulting in the recommendation by IMPD Chief Bryan Roach that Officers Dinnsen and Howard be fired.  On May 10, 2018 after a three day hearing, the IMPD Merit Board reinstated Officers Dinnsen and Howard.

The Bailey Family has many questions about the handling of the case against Officers Dinnsen and Howard by the City of Indianapolis. Specifically, they question whether all the testimony and evidence presented to the Board was complete and accurate.

Foremost, Officers Dinnsen and Howard repeatedly asserted that Aaron Bailey had a prior record for armed robbery.  Mr. Bailey never had been arrested for armed robbery or any other offense involving a firearm.  The City attorneys allowed the officers and their attorney to make this false allegation numerous times without objection. Officer Howard mentions in his testimony seeing a charge of armed robbery from December 2015.  Below is the video of Officer Howard describing how records of Aaron Bailey’s prior armed robbery made him believe Mr. Bailey was armed.  Video Link:

Officer Howard Testifies

Or paste into browser https://youtu.be/6mB9xVq_Urk

 

Later, the attorney for Officers Dinnsen and Howard, put up a demonstrative exhibit titled “Danger Cues” which list, “Armed Robberies”, plural.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana September 21, 2017

The Estate of Aaron Bailey filed a complaint with the Indiana Southern District Court for the killing of Aaron Bailey by two IMPD officers on June 28, 2017.  Officers Michal Dinnsen and Carlton Howard discharged over 11 bullets in the rear and driver’s side of Aaron Bailey’s vehicle after Bailey wrecked following a brief police pursuit.  Four bullets struck Aaron Bailey in the back as he sat in his vehicle.  The complaint seeks relief for deadly injury and violations of the 4^thand 14^thAmendments to the Constitution by the officers and the City of Indianapolis.

Attorney Craig Karpe states, “Special prosecutor Cotter has kept us informed on the progress of his investigation, but we’ve received nothing yet about the evidence collected or his findings. The materials we’ve gathered to date show no legal reason or justification for the shooting of Aaron Bailey.  The complaint marks the next stage in our effort to discover the truth about this tragic event.  The Bailey family remains resolved to get justice for their dead brother”.

NOTE: The family of Aaron Bailey will be available for interviews on Friday at 5:00pm at their attorney’s office.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana July 17, 2017 – On the steps of the Statehouse Saturday hundreds gathered to demand answers and justice for the killing of Aaron Bailey.  Two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers shot multiple times through the rear of Aaron Bailey’s car after he wrecked fleeing a traffic stop on June 29, 2017.  Aaron Bailey was unarmed at the time.

The Family of Aaron Bailey released the below statement in response to the press conference held by Mayor Joe Hogsett the day before the July 15, 2017 Statehouse demonstration.

“The Family continues to grieve the killing of Aaron Bailey. We thank Mayor Hogsett for recognizing the issues of racial bias and unreasonable use of force involved.  The Mayor has offered goals to improve bias training and citizen review of IMPD use of force.  We are encouraged by the Mayor’s words, but anxious to see deadlines and concrete steps taken.  In particular, the Citizen Police Complaint Board should be given real power to act in cases of racial bias and unreasonable force.  A passive board is not a solution.

It is also surprising and disappointing that all IMPD patrol vehicles are not fitted with audio video recording.  Automobile camera systems are readily available at reasonable cost.  This widely adopted technology would protect citizens and the police.

Aaron Bailey and his family are lifelong Indianapolis residents.  We love the city, even as we see how far it needs to come to protect its residents equally.  Racially motivated violence will remain a problem until criminal charges are pursued for shootings of unarmed citizens like Aaron Bailey.  Given Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry’s close working relationship with the IMPD, we assert that a special prosecutor is necessary to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. We hope the death of Aaron Bailey will lead to peaceful measures to stop racial bias and unreasonable force.”