Lafayette man arrested for domestic battery dies days later at hospital

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — An investigation is underway after a Lafayette man died from a reported medical emergency days after being arrested for domestic battery.

On Sept. 22, officers with the Lafayette Police Department were called around 9:33 a.m. to a home located in the 1000 block of South 4th Street in response to a reported domestic battery.

When they arrived on the scene, they encountered 36-year-old Lennis Mitchell. LPD said the suspect reportedly fled on foot before running through multiple yards and hopping fences. A short time later, he was apprehended a few blocks away on the porch of a nearby residence.

Mitchell allegedly failed to listen to the officers as they issued verbal commands. Following a brief struggle, Mitchell was placed into handcuffs as police worked to learn what had happened.

As the investigation unfolded, officers determined that Mitchell had allegedly forced entry into the victim’s home as she was trying to close the back door. He then pushed her out the front door as he dragged her by her hair and out into the yard. Once there, witnesses told LPD that Mitchell allegedly battered the victim repeatedly.

This led to preliminary charges of domestic battery, confinement, residential entry and resisting law enforcement being filed against Mitchell.

While he was in police custody, LPD said Mitchell told them that he was experiencing difficulty breathing after admitting to using marijuana earlier that day. The officer then began heading toward Franciscan East Hospital so Mitchell could undergo a medical evaluation.

While he was being transported, LPD said Mitchell suddenly became unresponsive. This prompted the officer to remove him from the vehicle and administer first aid until additional medical personnel could arrive to assist.

He soon arrived at the area hospital in critical but stable condition. Six days later, he died. Footage of the incident can be viewed online here.

His death remains an active investigation. Mitchell’s manner and cause of death will be released at a later time by the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office. A forensic autopsy is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.