Racebaiting in Indy results in Officer being injured

Deacon allegedly staged fight to bait IMPD officer

An Indianapolis deacon could soon face charges accused of setting up a fight to see how a white police officer would respond to two African-American men fighting. During that incident, the officer was hurt before organizers put a stop to the demonstration.

Indianapolis —
Investigators are considering pressing charges against James Harrington, an Indianapolis Deacon for reportedly baiting a white officer to see how he would respond to two African-American men fighting.

"Several individuals said to Sgt. Matthew Grimes we were just trying to find out how police would respond to a fight," said Public Safety Director Frank Straub Monday by phone. "Every indication we have is that they set up this officer."

The event took place July 24th at the Municipal Gardens public rec facility on the near north side. Grimes was there to speak to children about diffusing altercations. As Grimes was speaking, the scuffle between the two men reportedly began. Grimes, police say, tried to break up the fight and was pushed to the ground. He was injured, hurting his back.

"In the course of doing the right thing he (Sgt. Grimes) ends up in this confrontation and gets hurt ," said Straub. "I find it to be reprehensible to be honest with you."

"There seems to be two different stories of what happened on that day," said Rev. Charles Harrison with Barnes United Methodist Church.

"I spoke to someone who was at the event and they said it was not staged to taunt the officer. I spoke with someone in the mayor's office and this is what they said. Several of them were actually at the event."

Public Safety Director Straub disputes accusations that the role-playing fight wasn't staged. He said another individual involved, Willard Gupton with the Parks department was suspended following the event. Police say he knew of the staged fight to bait Sgt. Grimes.

James Harrington is a Deacon at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. No one was at the church Monday to respond to questions. Fox59 went by Harrington's house for comment but he was not home Monday.

"Our church had nothing to do with this. Mt. Vernon had no involvement," said Geraldine Tracy a longtime member of Mt. Vernon Baptist church. The event was reportedly put together by Harrington as a youth forum.

"I feel very badly the officer was hurt. James Harrington has been a member of the church a long time. I just don't know what he was thinking, but I won't stand in judgement."

Straub said police and prosecutors are still reviewing if any criminal charges are appropriate in the case.

Reverend Harrison who's been following the story says there has been at least one other recent incident. He says a child acted up to incite officers. When police questioned the boy he told them his family had encouraged him to act up in hopes they could file a lawsuit against the police department.

The incidents follow the controversial arrest of bi-racial teenager Brandon Johnson whose pictures showed his bruised face following an altercation with police. One officer was fired following the incident.