Darius Chappell
Darius Chappell died on July 3, 2026, at the Montgomery County Jail in Clarksville, Tennessee. Clarksville police arrested him on June 29, and video obtained by WSMV shows a police dog biting him for nearly a minute while an officer used a Taser. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said he was found unresponsive in his cell during a routine check around 3 a.m. and was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt Clarksville. His family says he did not receive proper treatment for the bite wounds, and the NAACP has also raised concerns about the force used. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating, the cause of death has not been released, and the officer who arrested him was fired as of September 1.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The cause of death has not been determined; the TBI is investigating, and the family believes he did not receive proper treatment after a Clarksville police K-9 bit him for nearly a minute during his arrest.
Reported by: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his family; the NAACP (advocates); WSMV (reporters).
News reports (6)
- Man who was arrested in police K9 use-of-force dies in custody at Montgomery County Jail
- Man dies in custody days after being bitten by police K-9 in Montgomery County. Here’s what officials are saying
- Tennessee NAACP calling for justice following man’s death days after being bitten by Clarksville police dog
- MCSO: Chappell 'medically cleared' before death, Clarksville police offer condolences
- Clarksville officer identified in K-9 attack that preceded jail death
- Clarksville officer fired after investigation into K-9 arrest, jail death