A Texas man who was tased four times by Williamson County deputies, died in their custody. Body camera footage shows the last moments of Javier Ambler‘s life where he clearly tells the officers, “I can’t breathe.” The 40-year old also informed them that he had heart issues.
Officers realized Ambler was unconscious and performed CPR until medics arrived. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
NBC News reports:
Javier Ambler, who was black, died on March 28, 2019, following a 22-minute police chase that began in Williamson County around 1:30 a.m. and ended in north Austin, according to NBC affiliate KXAN in Austin. NBC News has not independently verified this report.
Williamson County deputies began chasing Ambler because he failed to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic, the outlet reported. The Austin Police Department also responded to the scene.
The A&E reality television show “Live PD” was filming sheriff’s deputies when the pursuit began.
Body-camera video from an Austin police officer shows Ambler on the ground with several officers. “Give me your hands or I’m going to tase you again,” an officer is heard saying in the video obtained by KXAN.
Ambler says, “I have congestive heart failure” and repeatedly says to the officers, “I can’t breathe.”
WARNING: Viewer’s discretion advised.
A death report said that Ambler died of congestive heart failure and hypertensive cardiovascular disease associated with morbid obesity, in combination with forcible restraint. The manner of death was ruled a homicide and the report stated that Ambler did not appear intoxicated, according to KXAN.
More than a year later, the death remains under investigation as the district attorney’s office accuses the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office of not cooperating.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore said what should have been a routine traffic stop ended in Ambler’s death. She also accused the sheriff’s office of stonewalling the investigation.
Over the last year, the District Attorney’s Office has been fighting with Williamson County Sheriff’s Office to have Live PD video footage related to Javier Ambler’s death released. What should have been a routine traffic stop, ended with Javier’s death.
— Margaret Moore (@ElectMargaret) June 8, 2020
She added:
For the last year, Wilco has stonewalled our investigation. We planned to take this case before a grand jury in April, but bc of COVID-19 we’ll be empaneling this summer. We’re taking this case seriously & working to seek justice for Javier & his family. https://t.co/LuiK2dQp6s
— Margaret Moore (@ElectMargaret) June 8, 2020
