Attempted Murder Charge Dismissed, Black Teen Dailen Brewer Sues Indianapolis Police and City

Dailen Brewer, an 18-year-old Indianapolis teen, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Sgt. Robyn Frazier, alleging body camera footage disproved the officer's sworn claim that he pointed a revolver at her during an April arrest that resulted in attempted murder and other felony charges. The complaint, filed July 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, seeks damages for false arrest, fabricated evidence, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment and defamation.

Police cars were parked at the Riverside Park entrance when Brewer drove into the Indianapolis park with another person on April 12, both carrying firearms that the lawsuit says were legally owned. The complaint argues nothing at the Riverside Park entrance indicated the park was closed, giving visitors no clear notice they were entering restricted park property.

Sgt. Robyn Frazier opened the driver's door while Brewer already had both hands raised, body camera footage cited in the lawsuit shows. Although firearms were visible inside the vehicle, the complaint alleges Brewer never reached for or pointed a firearm at the sergeant.

A sworn probable cause affidavit painted a far different account, alleging Brewer aimed a revolver at Frazier and made a motion as though pulling the trigger. Once prosecutors examined the body camera recording, every felony count was withdrawn and Brewer walked out of the Marion County Adult Detention Center.

The complaint also accuses the city and police department of leaving public statements online that portrayed the teenager as someone who tried to kill a police officer, even though the criminal prosecution had ended. Brewer argues those statements damaged his reputation, cost him employment and caused emotional distress.

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson has not publicly responded to the allegations in the federal complaint. Brewer is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, arguing the officer's actions and the city's public statements violated his constitutional rights and damaged his reputation.