Aaron Colton Ewing

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 23-703-CJ Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 1/11/2024 9:46 AM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Grayson County Agency Name: Agency Address: 200 S. Crockett Sheriff's Dept. Agency City: Sherman Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 75090 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: Thomas Director Middle Name: E. Director Last Name: Watt Reporter Name: Kevin Cheairs Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Aaron Middle Name: Colton Last Name: Ewing Suffix: Date of Birth: 6/23/1997 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 25 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 8/11/2022 3:30 PM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 6/11/2023 1:02 AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Suicide Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Ewing was found hanging in cell with bed sheet tied to vent in ceiling. *Died as result of hanging.* Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: No If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Other Weapon, death?: specify: Other weapon, specify: Bed sheet Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Hanging, Means of Death: strangulation Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 200 S. Crockett City: Sherman County: Grayson Zip: 75090 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Law Enforcement Location Category: Facility What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Type of Custody: County Jail Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Jail - single cell What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: 8/11/2022 3:41 PM Where did the death occur? Law enforcement Death Location: facility/booking center General Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Attempt to Commit Agg Sexual Assault (Rape) Offense 2: Attempt to Commit Indency W/Child Sexual Contact Offense 3: ACBI F/V Impede Breathe/Circulation Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Crimes Against Type of Offense: Child(ren) At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or No Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- problems?: No Exhibit any medical problems?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On 08/11/2022 Denison P.D. Officer C. Palmer responded to 401 E MNaple row in reference to a warrant service. Made contact with Ewing, Aaron and placed him under arrest for CT 1 / Assault Fam/House Mem Impede Breath/Circulat; CT 3/ Attempt to Commit Agg Sexual Assault (Rape); CT 3 / Attempt to Commit Indecency W/ Child Sexual Contact; CT 4 / Tamper/Fabricate Phys Evid W/ Intent to Impair. #22-JP1-308F. Aaron was transported to GSO and booked in accordingly. Aaron did not complain of any illnesses or injuries while he was in my custody. This incident was recorded on my Axon body worn camera and later uploaded under this call number. On 08/29/22 Inmate Ewing was moved from separation to Pod 3a. At approximately 0710 Ewing began talking to Ofc. Morris wanting to go back to his single cell. Ofc Morris explained it was needed for inmates with issues not for privacy. Ewing started to say he was asking nicely but if he had to fight someone to get removed he would. He stated this more than once. Ofc Morris advised him that would not fair well for him and that charges would be pressed for assault. Ewing stated he would do whatever it took to get out of the pod and back to separation. Ofc Morris advised the bed had already been filled and no separation cells were available. Morris explained the cells were needed for people that had real issues or for the safety of themselves or others. Ewing then at that point stated he wanted to hurt himself,. Ofc Morris contacted medical as per protocol. Medical, as well as first floor officers felt he was just playing games and he was not a danger to himself or anyone else. Medical Phil placed Ewing on 20 min checks and told him there were no other beds available. On Monday, September 5, 2022, Officer S. Hawkins 173 was assigned to Pod 2 duties. At approximately 1850, Inmate Ewing, Aaron 106222 was taken out of Holding 1 and placed into Pod 2A. As soon as Inmate Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Ewing walked back and was beginning to put his mat onto bunk 2A09, Inmate Darling, David 83193 jumped him and began punching his sides and head. Officer Hawkins immediately called on the radio "Fight in Pod 2A" and went to the Pod 2A food port and began yelling for Inmate Darling to stop. Inmate Ewing went to the back wall cowering and covering his head. Inmate Darling continued to punch him in the head and then proceeded to kick him. Officer Hawkins again called "Fight in Pod 2, First Floor to Pod 2" and began yelling for Inmate Darling to quit hitting and kicking Inmate Ewing. As soon as Inmate Darling walked away from Inmate Ewing, Inmate Arteaga, Johnathan 106039 went over to where Inmate Ewing was laying and began kicking him. Officer Hawkins again called on the radio for First Floor to come to Pod 2 due to the fight and yelled for Inmate Arteaga to stop and get away from Inmate Ewing. An inmate sitting in the dayroom at this time said to Officer Hawkins, "You need to get him out of here. We don't want him in here." Officer Hawkins stated into the pod, We will get him out, just leave him alone. At this time, Inmate Ewing got up from where he was defending himself at the back wall, and walked towards the front of Pod 2A. As Inmate Ewing approached the dayroom, Inmate Arteaga came from behind him and punched him very hard in the back of the head. Officer Hawkins was yelling for Inmate Arteaga to stop through the food port, and again called for First Floor to come to Pod 2. Officer Hawkins told Inmate Ewing to come out of Pod 2 for his own safety, and called on the radio, "One coming out of 2A." At this time First Floor officers along with Sgt. Goshorn arrived. Inmate Ewing came on out of Pod 2A. Inmate Ewing was removed from Pod 2. First Floor officers also brought his property out of Pod 2A. Medical Kaleb attended to the face of Inmate Ewing, which was bleeding from the nose. Ewing was placed in Holding 1 and then transferred to a single cell in M Block with twenty minute checks. On Sunday June 06, 2023 Officer William Perkins #109 was conducting scans from midnight to 0400. At approximately 0041 Officer Perkins conducted face to face scans of M-Block. Inmate Ewing, Aaron S/O #106222 was positioned to the left of the toilet in cell M-16. Officer Perkins believed that Ewing was using the restroom at first. Officer Perkins looked closer into the window and seen that Ewing had a sheet tied around his neck and tied to the vent by a piece of altered lining from an inmate property bag. Officer Perkins called for first floor and medical to M-Block for medical emergency. Medical Keifer Hansen and Colby Hurd was first into M-Block with first floor behind them. Officer Perkins entered M-16 with Hansen and attempted to remove Ewing from the vent. Hansen lifted Ewing up and Officer Nowlin cut the fabric attached to the vent. Inmate Ewing was placed on the floor. Medical Hansen asked an officer to untie the knot. At 0043 hours Officer Schaefer removed the knot and Medical Hansen and Hurd started life-saving procedures. Officer Perkins completed the scan. At 0050 hours Sherman Fire/Rescue arrived and took over life-saving procedures. Inmate Ewing was pronounced dead at 0103 hours. E.O.R. TXDPS Ranger Heath Peacock responded to perform investigation. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7