Herman Whitfield III’s parents file another lawsuit against city

Herman Whitfield III’s parents filed a lawsuit against the City of Indianapolis in state court on Wednesday.

In the lawsuit, Gladys and Herman Whitfield Jr. claim the actions of Indianapolis police led to the death of their son and caused them emotional distress. They ask for an unspecified amount of damages.

Herman Whitfield III died after six IMPD officers responded to his mental health crisis in April 2022. Police tased him twice and placed him in the prone position until he became unresponsive. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

The city’s Office of Corporation Counsel declined to comment on the lawsuit due to the ongoing litigation.

Two officers have been criminally charged for Whtifield’s death. Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez face multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide.Their jury trial is scheduled to start in January.

The Whitfields also filed a lawsuit against the city and police in federal court last year, which is still pending.

Contact WFYI criminal justice reporter Katrina Pross at kpross@wfyi.org.

Pross is a Corps Member of Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project.