David Quannah Brown Dies in Potter County, Texas (Amarillo) Jail
The Potter County Sheriff’s Department, in Amarillo, Texas, filed a custodial death report with the Attorney General of Texas regarding the death of David Quannah Brown. Mr. Brown was only 37 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone related to Mr. Brown’s death.
The report indicates that Mr. Brown was originally incarcerated in the Potter County jail at 10:00 p.m. on June 5, 2021, and that he passed away at 4:38 a.m. on June 6, 2021. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:
“The inmate named David Quannah Brown W/M 37 years of age was arrested on June 5, 2021 at approximately 2120 PM, ref.the Amarillo Police Department finding him trespassing at a local convenience store. Subject resisted arrest and was Tased twice and OC pepper sprayed by APD officers. He was then brought to the Potter County Detention Center. He arrived at the Center and entered our facility Booking doors at approximately 2200 PM. Correction Officers were advised of him being combative by the APD arresting officers. A search resulted in a glass pipe with residue being found in his left pants pocket. This was given to the APD officer. David Brown was escorted to the male shower in order to be decontaminated ref. pepper spray. Corrections Officers believed him to be under the influence of unknown narcotics. Medical Officer Castro decontaminated David Brown at which time he became actively resistant. He was escorted to Booking Room cell 175. Medical checked his blood pressure and oxygen saturation. He was placed on Suicide Watch due to his inability to answer any intake questions. Medical checked his blood pressure again at approximately 0224 AM and was in this cell with David for eight minutes. At approximately 0336 AM, this inmate was checked on again by Medical Officer Castro. His blood pressure was checked and the officers left the cell at 0341 AM. At approximately 0415 AM, Cpl. Padilla checked on David Brown and shortly thereafter entered the cell. Cpl. Padilla performed a sternum rub and called for medical. Medical responded and after checking pulse began chest compressions and life saving measures. Inmate Brown was declared deceased at 0438 AM by Emergency Services”.
The report does not indicate anything regarding whether the Amarillo Police Department, or the Potter County Sheriff’s Department, contacted EMTs to treat Mr. Brown at the scene after being tased. The report also does not indicate whether Mr. Brown was tased using the drive-stun mode, or in the alternative was shot with the Taser thus potentially resulting in prongs being shot into his skin. The drive-stun mode is used to inflict pain.
Aside from what happened to Mr. Brown, people in Texas who are arrested are entitled not to have excessive force used against them. This guarantee is pursuant to the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Further, people who are jailed in Texas county jails are entitled to receive reasonable medical care, and to be protected from themselves and others. These guarantees arise pursuant to the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. If a person’s constitutional rights are violated, and the person dies as a result, then certain family members might have claims related to that death. Congress passed a federal statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, to allow victims of constitutional violations to obtain damages. Likewise, such relief is a deterrent to law enforcement officers and jailers from violating constitutional rights.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone