Killing of Javier Ambler

On March 28, 2019, Javier Ambler II was killed while being arrested by police in Austin, Texas, after fleeing from deputies who sought to stop him for a traffic violation. Ambler was tased multiple times by authorities.[1][2][3][4] Video of Ambler's death, recorded by police officers, was obtained and released by news organizations in June 2020.[4] During the arrest Ambler repeatedly stated "I can't breathe" and "please save me" before dying.[3][5] Ambler's death was recorded by a Live PD television crew and the recording has since been destroyed, according to A&E Networks.[4][5]

Killing of Javier Ambler
DateMarch 28, 2019 (2019-03-28)
LocationAustin, Texas, U.S
DeathsJavier Ambler

Javier Ambler II

Javier Ambler II was a 40-year-old black man, a postal worker, and the father of two sons.[4][5] His mother described him as a gentle giant and a great father.[3] Ambler's father, who was in the army, said that Javier "didn't know white from black or Latino from Filipino... Everything was green, Army green."[3] Ambler lived in Pflugerville and had earlier played football at Ellison High School, Blinn College, and also attended Texas Prairie View A&M University.[1]

On the night of March 28, Ambler was driving home after playing poker with friends.[6]

Arrest and death

On March 28, 2019, sheriff's deputies tried to stop Ambler after they said that he did not dim his SUV lights to oncoming traffic.[1][4] Ambler continued driving, leading to a 22-minute chase.[1][3] After the 22 minute police chase and several minor collisions, the chase ended when Ambler crashed into a tree, on a North Austin Street.[1][3] Ambler was unarmed and exited his car with his hands raised.[5] According to the police report, Deputy J.J. Johnson, who was accompanied by a film crew of Live PD, told Ambler to "get down" five or six times, and then tased him after Ambler appeared to back towards his SUV.[1] According to the police report, Ambler partially fell but tried to stand again, and was then tased in the upper back by Deputy Zach Camden.[1] The report stated that Ambler further resisted, and was tased again by Johnson.[1] According to news organizations deputies pinned Ambler down and tased him 3–4 times.[1][4]

Video evidence released in June 2020 shows that Ambler pleaded with officers that he could not breathe and suffered from congestive heart failure.[4] During the arrest Ambler said "I am not resisting" and "I have congestive heart failure."[3] He called out "please save me" before deputies tased him for a final time.[4] Ambler became motionless and unresponsive after officers placed handcuffs on him.[5] During the arrest one of the officers said "give me your hands or I'm going to tase you again," and another officer said "I'm pretty sure I just broke his finger."[7]

Ambler's death was ruled a homicide, caused by congestive heart failure and hypertensive cardiovascular disease "in combination with forcible restraint."[3][5][1]

According to CBS Austin's reporting, Ambler may have been en route to hospital during the chase, quoting Ambler's former partner that "...per police, it was never a high-speed chase. It was just, he couldn’t stop in distress."[8]

Investigation

An internal affairs investigation by Williamson County stated that its deputies did nothing wrong in Ambler's death.[4]

In February 2020, KVUE and journalist Tony Plohetski learned of Ambler's death after they were contacted by investigators who were frustrated by failed efforts to acquire more information from the Sheriff's Office of Williamson County.[1] In June 2020, the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE obtained police officer body camera footage of Ambler's death, after months of records requests.[3] A&E then revealed that they had earlier destroyed their own footage due to a contract between Williamson County and Live PD producers in place at the time of Ambler's death.[4]

Reactions

In the wake of the protests over the killing of George Floyd, A&E had already pulled Live PD from its schedule.[9] On June 9, Live PD host Dan Abrams, who acts as ABC News' chief legal affairs anchor, promised Live PD fans that the show would eventually return.[5] The next day, A&E announced that they had officially canceled the series.[10]

Margaret Moore, a Travis County District Attorney, stated that Sheriff Robert Chody had refused to provide evidence.[4] In response, three of Williamson County's four commissioners called for Chody's resignation.[4]

Protests against Ambler's death were held outside the Williamson County Court on June 9, 2020.[4]

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See also

References
  1. Plohetski, Tony (June 8, 2020). "'I can't breathe!' Video released from 2019 death of Austin-area black man in deputies' custody". KVUE-ABC. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  2. Osborn, Claire; Plohetski, Tony (June 9, 2020). "'Live PD' says video of in-custody death of Javier Ambler has been destroyed". The Statesman. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  3. Lavandera, Ed; Waldrop, Theresa; Wessmann, Pamela (June 10, 2020). "The mom of a black man who died a year ago during an arrest in Texas won't watch that police video". CNN. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  4. Osborn, Claire; Plohetski, Tony (June 10, 2020). "'Live PD' says it destroyed video of Javier Ambler II's death during 2019 Texas police stop". USA Today. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  5. Nolan, Emma (June 10, 2020). "'Live PD' Destroyed Video of Texas Man Javier Ambler Saying 'I Can't Breathe' Before Dying in Police Custody". Newsweek. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  6. "'I can't breathe!' Video released from 2019 death of Javier Ambler while in deputies' custody". WFAA. ABC. June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  7. Perper, Rose (June 10, 2020). "New bodycam footage released over a year after Javier Ambler's death shows him crying out that he 'can't breathe' while officers tased him". Insider.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  8. Bontke, Jordan (June 9, 2020). "Body camera video of Javier Ambler's arrest revealed new details for family, friends". Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie; Andreeva, Nellie (June 11, 2020). "'Live P.D.' Canceled By A&E Amid Ongoing Protests Against Police Brutality". Deadline. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. Schneider, Michael (June 10, 2020). "A&E Canceling 'Live PD' Following Ongoing Protests Against Police Brutality". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
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