Aaron Bailey was a 45-year-old African American man fatally shot by two IMPD officers on June 29, 2017. Due to his rough upbringing in an impoverished area of Indianapolis, Bailey accumulated multiple felony charges. Although he amassed many records, he improved his life and became a volunteer at his local church.
On the night of June 29, 2017, Bailey roamed around town with his wife until he got pulled over due to a traffic stop. Officers Michal Dinnsen and Carlton Howard interrogated and inspected Bailey’s identification documents. Tensions arose, a car chase occurred, lasting for roughly twenty minutes, resulting in a car crash involving a tree and the vehicle. Both officers were armed and approached the car in an orderly fashion. They ordered Bailey with arms up to step out of the automobile. Bailey began to reach towards the center console of his car to look for a wallet or confirm that he was still alive. The officers assumed that he was grabbing a gun and opened fire directly at the automobile. A total of 11 bullets hit Bailey along with the side and back of the vehicle. After being rushed to the hospital, Bailey was pronounced dead on the spot.
After Bailey’s death, many people demanded answers from this heinous crime against racial discrimination. Activist and family friend Satchel Cole organized a protest to remember Aaron Bailey and demand answers from this tragic event. Cole understood the racial discrimination that became blatantly clear to the public; the racial injustice towards African Americans. The FBI began to investigate this case, opening a civil rights investigation. By involving in the case of Aaron Bailey, more people became aware of what occurred throughout Indianapolis. People protested in response to seeking answers, chanting phrases such as “Fist up, fight back” and “No justice, no peace.” Following his death sparked protests accumulate to roughly 200 people. Mayor Joe Hogsett made a promise of transparency, allowing everything to remain under control.
We will continue to engage local faith and community and handling this process with openness, transparency, and compassion.
Mayor Hogsett
The matter became a court case that debated on the reputations of the officers and upon further action. The result of the case was not up to the expectations of the people. Evidence held against the officers was not adequate. Both officers remained working at the IMPD without any form of punishment. Bailey’s family did not take the response well and took matters into their own hands. The family ended the dispute of the incident by implementing a $650,000 fine directly to the Indianapolis Police Department and a demand for changing training procedures, ensuring that another incident of racial injustice will not occur soon.