Patient walking outside hospital claims racial profiling: 6 things to know

A patient still attached to an IV stand says he was racially profiled when police arrested him June 9 outside Freeport (Ill.) Health Network Memorial Hospital, according to The Journal Standard.

Six things to know:

1. The man, Shaquille Dukes, says he was walking outside with his physician's permission after spending two days at the hospital for pneumonia. A security officer stopped Mr. Dukes, who is black, and his two companions, Marqwandrick Morrison and Credale Miles, as they walked together. The officer accused Mr. Dukes of stealing medical equipment and ordered Mr. Dukes to approach his vehicle. Mr. Dukes said he only left hospital property because of the officer's orders. 

2. One of Mr. Dukes' two companions filmed the incident. Mr. Dukes later posted it on social media.

3. The security officer, who is white, called the Freeport police. The responding officer, who is also white, arrested all three men, Mr. Dukes said. He also says he had a seizure and asthma attack and lost consciousness after someone confiscated his IV and rescue inhaler. Mr. Dukes filed a formal complaint with the city of Freeport.

4. Freeport police said June 24 they arrested the men because of their disorderly conduct toward the security officer and police. Police reports indicate the security officer told police that the men had been cursing at him and he felt "extremely threatened." A police investigation found Mr. Dukes did not intend to steal the medical equipment and that no physician or nurse gave Mr. Dukes permission to leave the hospital, police officials told ABC News.

5. A trained FHN employee removed Mr. Dukes' IV, and police sent Mr. Dukes back to the hospital when they realized he was having medical issues, according to Freeport police Lt. Andrew Schroeder.

6. Mr. Dukes is scheduled to appear in court July 11 on a charge of disorderly conduct. City Manager Lowell Crow said he would review Mr. Dukes' videos and police footage and meet with Mr. Dukes June 25. FHN Memorial Hospital told ABC News they cannot comment on the story due to patient privacy laws.

Editor's note: This story was updated July 1 at 9:45 a.m. with additional information.

 

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