Indianapolis, IN
Wrongful death lawsuit filed by estate of man shot and killed by IMPD officer
One year after Darcel Edwards was shot by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer and later died, Edwards’ estate filed a lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and the officer who shot him.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Roselyn Edwards Rodger, Edwards’ mother, alleges IMPD officer Gunnar Gossett lacked a reasonable probable cause before shooting Edwards on Oct. 24, 2023.
It also alleges that Indianapolis failed to provide Gossett with adequate training that would have prevented him from shooting Edwards and alleges the city tampered with physical evidence that would have been relevant to the investigation of the shooting.
The estate is demanding its case be heard by a jury.
What led up to Darcel Edwards’ death in Indianapolis
On Oct. 24, 2023, IMPD officers heard shots fired in the area of East 25th Street and Dr. Andrew J. Brown Boulevard, near Douglass Park, and noticed a vehicle speeding away about 4:15 a.m., IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams said.
An officer then made a traffic stop on the vehicle, at which point Edwards got out of his car and explained to the officer that his vehicle had been hit by another car, according to court documents.
Edwards then got back into his vehicle and fled. The IMPD officer began to follow Edwards before losing track of him, according to court documents.
More: ‘We are concerned’: Indianapolis police involved in 9th shooting since Aug. 1
IMPD officers shortly located Edwards’ vehicle, which had crashed into a tree near East 25th Street and Columbia Avenue and watched Edwards climb into a tree in a nearby backyard.
While in the tree, Edwards told the officers that he was experiencing an epilepsy episode and asked them to call his mother and doctor. Officers told him that he would receive care from medics if he came down from the tree, but he refused until the medics arrived, according to body camera footage released by IMPD.
During this interaction, officers told him to stop reaching into his pockets and to show them his hands. Gossett threatened to shoot Edwards if he failed to comply.
“If you do it again, you will be shot,” an officer is heard saying in portions of body camera footage.
Edwards is heard three times telling officers to shoot him.
“Kill me,” he said.
“No,” the officers replied.
“I’m going to my pocket then, kill me,” Edwards said. Officer Gossett then discharged his firearm, shooting him.
Edwards was transported to the hospital in critical but stable condition. He died two days later. No officers were injured.
After an investigation of the area, police were not able to locate a weapon, according to court documents.
Edwards’ estate claims excessive force, wrongful death
The lawsuit alleges that Gossett lacked probable cause to believe that Edwards was an immediate threat to him and his fellow officers, and for shooting a person who was unrelated to any ongoing crimes.
It also claims that Gossett conducted an unreasonable seizure and used excessive force, which violated Edwards’ 4th and 14th Amendment rights.
Although IMPD conducted an investigation into the shooting and concluded that Gossett was “acting under the color of the law and within the course of their employment,” Edwards’ estate believes his death was not justified and is suing Gossett individually.
The lawsuit also alleges that IMPD failed to provide proper training, supervision and monitoring of Gossett’s actions as an officer.
It also alleges that the city tampered with evidence that would have been relevant to the case, as the city had the tree where Edwards was shot by police removed within 24 hours after the shooting, according to the lawsuit.
The estate is hoping to have Gossett stand trial for the death of Edwards and the city to award the estate with compensatory damages and punitive damages for Edwards’ death.
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla. Jake Allen contributed to this reporting, contact him at jake.allen@indystar.com.
Indianapolis, IN
2024 NFL Week 9: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Skip to main content
Indianapolis, IN
Colts Risers and Fallers from Crushing Loss to Texans
The Indianapolis Colts fell to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium 23-20. While the score indicates a possible nail-biter, the game was anything but that for Indianapolis. After an ugly offensive display from Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson against the Texans, it’s time to discuss the risers and fallers for the Colts after they dropped to 4-4 this afternoon.
Risers | Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs
While the Colts’ offense overall wasn’t good, running back Jonathan Taylor was a constant supply of progress for an otherwise weird game plan. Taylor had 20 carries for 105 rushing yards (5.3 average) and a score on the ground. The former Pro Bowler also had one grab for 12 receiving yards. After being sidelined for multiple weeks with an ankle injury, Taylor played fantastic football and didn’t miss a beat. While Taylor did have 21 touches, he could have probably shouldered more and helped a limping Colts offense get a win. There will be questions for Steichen’s offense and Richardson to answer after a disgusting showing, but not for Taylor as the top playmaker through eight weeks.
As for Josh Downs, he was the sole contributor in the receiving game, hauling in 4 catches for 109 receiving yards and a fantastic 69-yard touchdown from Richardson.
Outside of Downs, no other Colts receiver or player recorded more than 1 catch. There isn’t much to write home about with the offense, but Taylor and Downs deserve their flowers for keeping the Colts’ offense within three points to conclude the contest.
Faller | 3rd Down Efficiency
The Colts’ offensive woes are reflected in their third-down efficiency. As arguably the most important down to convert, the Colts were dysfunctional, finishing 2/13 for a 15.4% clip. The Colts have the offensive weaponry to win these situations in Richardson, Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and Downs, yet it wasn’t meant to be against DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
Indianapolis must address multiple areas offensively but needs to convert third downs more often to get into more advantageous positions. With so much difficult competition ahead on the Colts’ schedule, this performance in key moments can’t continue, or the losses may start piling up.
Riser | Kenny Moore II
The Colts’ offense was inconsistent, but their defensive counterparts otherwise shined, and Kenny Moore II stood out in the secondary. The veteran defender finished with 7 tackles and 2 for loss, playing all over the field and getting stops when needed most.
It’s no surprise that Moore was efficient, and while the Texans didn’t have star pass-catcher Nico Collins (injured reserve), they still had Stefon Diggs for most of the contest and Tank Dell playing out of the slot. Along with another defensive player on this list, Moore earned recognition for another gutsy performance as one of the most reliable Colts stop troops.
What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!
Faller | Steichen’s Play Calling
Richardson was erratic throwing the football, finishing 10/32 (31.3% completion), but Steichen’s perplexing play calling must be called out. Starting with the passing game, Richardson was taking too many deep shots too often against the Texans. Given Richardson’s struggles with accuracy, giving him plays to push the ball downfield constantly doesn’t help with completing passes to gather confidence. There were multiple plays made by Downs but not much else was noteworthy from the passing attack.
As for the ground game, the lack of using Richardson’s legs raises eyebrows. Against the Miami Dolphins, Richardson essentially powered the ground game with 14 rushes for 56 yards. However, he only had 6 rushes for 45 yards and was left throwing more often than not. This can’t continue if Richardson is expected to survive as a QB especially given his talents as a runner are more developed than what he is as a passer.
Riser | Dayo Odeyingbo
Indianapolis’ defensive front pressured Stroud constantly on Sunday afternoon, but defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo had a monster performance. The former Vanderbilt Commodore recorded 4 tackles (3 for loss), 3 QB hits, 1 sack, and a fumble recovery. The other sack on the day was from a returning defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
It might go unnoticed by some, but Odeyingbo quietly leads Indianapolis this year in sacks with 3 and looked like a leader in the defensive trenches against Houston.
With Odeyingbo approaching a contract year in 2025, he may be earning a re-signing if he continues to perform like this for the Colts.
Faller | Anthony Richardson
It’s not easy to say, but Richardson wasn’t serviceable as a quarterback against the Texans. While Richarson dazzled with a few throws to Downs and an explosive run, teams can’t win consistently in the NFL with QBs passing under 50%. However, Richardson was nightmarish with his accuracy in this one, finishing with an unacceptable 31.3% completion.
Richardson isn’t getting better in the pocket and Steichen must adjust his scheme to account for the QB’s development. Steichen can implement RPOs, quick reads, and easy decisions for Richardson, but his ideas have taken a step back against opposing coordinators in 2024. Indy can’t afford to keep sliding with the stretch of games ahead or risk falling completely out of playoff contention.
Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!
Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.
Indianapolis, IN
Former Oregon Ducks’ star expected to play Sunday with the Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner is expected to be back on the field on Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts face the Houston Texans in a critical AFC South matchup.
The Colts activated the defensive tackle from the injured reserve list on Saturday. The former Oregon Ducks’ star had missed the previous five games with a high ankle sprain. Buckner suffered the injury during the Colts’ 16-10 Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Buckner had missed just two games in his first eight seasons – one game as a rookie due to an ankle injury, and one game due to a positive COVID-19 test in 2020.
“The longest time I’ve ever been away from the game throughout the season,” Buckner told Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. “I started getting a little stir-crazy during the end of my little stay.”
Buckner was a full participant during Thursday’s team practice, took a rest day on Friday and participated in the team’s walk-through practice on Saturday. Buckner’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Colts.
The Colts (4-3) have won two consecutive games and trail the first-place Texans by just one game in the AFC South. Buckner is the Colts’ best defensive lineman and his return will bolster the team’s defense against the run and pass.
-
Movie Reviews5 days ago
Alien Country (2024) – Movie Review
-
Technology3 days ago
OpenAI plans to release its next big AI model by December
-
Health3 days ago
New cervical cancer treatment approach could reduce risk of death by 40%, trial results show
-
Culture4 days ago
Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?
-
Sports2 days ago
Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam gives Dodgers Game 1 World Series win vs. Yankees
-
News2 days ago
Sikh separatist, targeted once for assassination, says India still trying to kill him
-
Culture1 day ago
Freddie Freeman wallops his way into World Series history with walk-off slam that’ll float forever
-
Technology24 hours ago
When a Facebook friend request turns into a hacker’s trap