Teen Dies in Police Custody After Saying He Couldn't Breathe

Authorities are currently investigating the death of Terrell Day, 18, who died while in custody of the Indianapolis police after complaining that he couldn't breathe. 

According to police, Day ran from a Burlington Coat Factory after allegedly stealing merchandise and pointing a gun at a security officer. When officers arrived on the scene they found the teen lying in a grassy area behind a gas station about 500 yards away from the store. Police recovered a handgun from Day after he surrendered without incident. 

After the teen started complaining that he was short of breath, an ambulance was called to the scene and EMS determined that Day was in good enough health to be taken to jail and not the hospital. While en route to the jail the teen's health started to seriously decline and an ambulance was called to assist once again. Day later died of a heart attack before reaching the hospital.

The teen's mother, Shanika Askew described her son as a "healthy young man who went to the gym and played basketball," and she added, "I just want answers to why they didn't send him to the hospital when he said he was hurting the first time. Why did they leave and have to come back?"

Source: NBC News