Indianapolis man summoned for disrupting City Council meeting, striking deputy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says it has issued a court summons to an Indianapolis man after he allegedly refusing to leave a City-County Council committee meeting and attempting to strike a deputy.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon at the City-County Building during a meeting of the council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. During the budget proposal’s presentation, protesters interrupted the meeting to voice their frustration over the July shooting death of Dalys Jett by IMPD officers.

According to MCSO, the committee chairperson asked deputies to remove several people who acted disorderly in the council chambers. While at least 25 people agreed to leave the assembly hall, deputies said Jamaal Shabazz refused multiple orders to exit.

As deputies began escorting Shabazz out of the room, he reportedly resisted and turned toward a deputy in an attempt to strike them. Deputies took Shabazz to the ground and handcuffed him. The Sheriff’s Office reported that Shabazz continued to pull away and initially refused to put his hands behind his back while being taken into custody.

Deputies issued Shabazz a summons for resisting law enforcement and interfering with public safety.

A summons means Shabazz was released rather than being taken to the Marion County Adult Detention Center. However, he is still required to appear in court to face the charges.

Authorities said the decision to arrest Shabazz was based on his repeated refusal to follow orders from the councilor leading the meeting and his physical resistance against deputies. No other arrests were reported during the meeting.

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