The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the in-custody death of Jermaine Joseph Sims, which occurred on June 17, 2024. The incident began at approximately 4:02 p.m. when Austin 9-1-1 received multiple calls reporting an urgent disturbance at the Circle K Convenience Store located at 8801 S IH-35 Frontage Road. Callers described a man, later identified as Sims, wearing gray shorts and a white tank top, "acting erratic" and "throwing things" inside the store.
At around 4:05 p.m., Sims stole a pick-up truck from one of the convenience store gas pumps and drove onto the southbound frontage road of IH 35 at Slaughter Ln., traveling in the wrong direction and crashing into multiple vehicles.
Officers arrived on scene at approximately 4:09 p.m. and took Sims into custody by approximately 4:10 p.m. Austin-Travis County EMS (A/TCEMS) transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 6:04 p.m.
As Sims died after being detained by APD officers, this incident is being investigated as an in-custody death. The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.
The incident was captured on body-worn camera and a private community member’s dash camera. Per APD policy, these videos will be released within ten business days.
APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, and an administrative investigation conducted by the APD Internal Affairs Unit with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD's Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at austincrimestoppers.org, where anonymity is guaranteed.